Maternal Perspectives on and Preferences for an Enhanced Neonatal Jaundice Education Program: An Evaluation Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

Neonatal mortality is a major contributor to under-five deaths yet the main causes of these deaths are preventable. Postnatal health education programs can improve timely detection and care seeking for newborn morbidities such as neonatal jaundice (NNJ). Being a common occurrence in low-income countries, it is surprising that women do not have sufficient knowledge about NNJ. Although the knowledge can be improved through routine education programs, healthcare providers rarely engage women in evaluating such programs, which limits their uptake and sustainability.IntroductionNeonatal mortality is a major contributor to under-five deaths yet the main causes of these deaths are preventable. Postnatal health education programs can improve timely detection and care seeking for newborn morbidities such as neonatal jaundice (NNJ). Being a common occurrence in low-income countries, it is surprising that women do not have sufficient knowledge about NNJ. Although the knowledge can be improved through routine education programs, healthcare providers rarely engage women in evaluating such programs, which limits their uptake and sustainability.This was a qualitative study evaluating a postnatal neonatal jaundice health education program conducted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH). Narrative data on the structure, design, and delivery of the program was recorded from 12 postnatal women through unstructured interviews. The participants were those who had taken part in an enhanced NNJ education program. Qualitative content analysis, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was performed.MethodsThis was a qualitative study evaluating a postnatal neonatal jaundice health education program conducted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH). Narrative data on the structure, design, and delivery of the program was recorded from 12 postnatal women through unstructured interviews. The participants were those who had taken part in an enhanced NNJ education program. Qualitative content analysis, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was performed.Using the CFIR, two themes were identified; the intervention characteristics domain and the individual domains. The constructs under these domains were intervention design quality and packaging, relative advantage, and maternal knowledge needs. The augmented nature of the intervention, sorting individual needs, ability to promote continuity of care, and care-seekin