Philippine E-Journals

Knowledge, Attitude, and Awareness of New Mothers Towards Newborn Screening in a Municipality in Iloilo

Zesil Gay Gelle | NI Agullana | YT Alamario | AM Altar | CA Altura | DC Andrade | KM Arabaca | AM Ardiente | J Arroyal | KH Badiana | ME Bayatan | Jose Perez | JJ Jamili | MB Palec | AM Daguay | AM Perez | GH Gallego | MA Laude | JR Saltin

 

Abstract:

Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential health strategy that enables the early detection and management of congenital disorders that when left untreated may lead to mental retardation and death of the child. Despite the worldwide implementation and acclaimed benefits of NBS programs, there is still a small percentage of parents, or mothers in general, who have different perspectives on accepting the use of NBS programs for their newborns. This research therefore aimed to describe the level of knowledge, attitude, and awareness of new mothers towards NBS in a municipality in Iloilo in terms of age, marital status, educational attainment, and monthly income. A descriptive research design was utilized and twenty-three respondents composed of primigravida mothers aged 18 and above who are patients at the Maternity and Medical Clinic were purposively selected. Results show that the new mothers have an average level of knowledge (M = 3.51, SD = 0.60) about NBS, a very positive attitude (M = 4.45, SD = 0.41) towards NBS and are moderately aware (M = 0.64, SD = 0.07) of the program. These results indicate that despite their average level of knowledge about NBS, these new mothers strongly agree with newborn screening and have a positive attitude towards the program regardless of their sociodemographic factors. Thus, these mothers perceive NBS as beneficial to the well-being of their children and that early diagnosis can prevent disease and enable children to reach their full potential.