Increasing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice in caring LBW infant through the developmental care information provision

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is still a major problem contributing to the high infant mortality rate in Indonesia. Varoius effort have been developed in order to minimize the negative impact of low birth weight due to hospitalization that one of which is developmental care. Developmental care is an essential component in the nursing care of LBW infant to reduce stress and improve growth and development. Aim: to identify the influence of the developmental care information provision to the knowledge, attitude, and practice in caring LBW infant. Method: The design of this study was “quasi experimental before and after design”. This study involved 18 nurses of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Nurses were given information about developmental care, and then the knowledge, attitudes, and practice were measured before and after the research intervention. Knowledge and attitudes were measured using a questionnaire, while the nursing practice performance using the observation sheet. Result: Score of knowledge, attitiudes, and practice was higher than before research intervention. There was a significant increase of the average score of knowledge, attitude, and practice after the research intervention (p value: 0.000, α= 0.05). Result and Recommendation: This information provision was effective to increase the knowledge, attitude, and practice. This research recommended a socialization of developmental care to other health professionals in hospitals. Keyword: LBW infant, developmental care, knowledge, attitude, and practice