Socio-Cultural and Economic Determinants of Maternal Health-Seeking Behaviour for Neonatal Jaundice in Northern Ghana: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: The maternal behaviour of seeking healthcare services is crucial in promptly identifying and treating newborn jaundice. Swift identification and intervention are crucial in order to avert problems and guarantee the welfare of the neonate. Various factors can impact the maternal health-seeking behaviours, such as socio-economic position, educational attainment, cultural attitudes, availability of healthcare resources, and awareness regarding neonatal jaundice. Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the behaviour of mothers in seeking healthcare for newborn jaundice in Northern Ghana. Methods: A qualitative approach using an explorative descriptive research design was adopted for the study. A purposive sampling technique was utilised in selecting thirty mothers of neonates with jaundice admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.  Data was collected by the use of a semi-structured interview guide through one-on-one in-depth interviews with sampled mothers and audio taped till saturation was reached. Recorded interviews and field notes during the interview were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis (TCA). Themes and subthemes were generated out of coded data. Results: The primary determinant impacting the health-seeking behaviour of women about newborn jaundice was the level of support provided by their partners and family members. The majority of mothers surveyed for the study reported that financial challenges in the household influenced their decision on the type of care they sought, including options such as home remedies, hospital care, or standard medicine. The mothers' decision to choose pre-hospital therapy or home-based therapies for neonatal jaundice was influenced by a lack of awareness or information about its seriousness, as well as their various household responsibilities. Consequently, the results also suggest that women should promptly seek medical assistance from professionals for neonatal jaundice, instead of opting for pre-hospital or home remedies, since these may lead to adverse effects and unsatisfactory treatment results. Conclusion: The results emphasise the crucial influence of maternal education, socio-economic position, and awareness levels on the probability of seeking healthcare treatment for neonatal jaundice. Maternal education was found to be a significant component, as higher levels of education were positively associated with greater knowledge and awareness of newborn jaundice. Healthcare professionals and policymakers should prioritise the implementation of educational programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal knowledge and awareness of newborn jaundice, especially among women with limited education and lower socio-economic status. This, in turn, resulted in the adoption of timely healthcare-seeking behaviours. The influence of socio-economic position was also notable, suggesting that women from more affluent socio-economic backgrounds were more inclined to swiftly access healthcare facilities.