WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ambika K.* and Bhavya S. V.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Neonates are considered to be tiny and powerless and more of all treasure to the nation, completely dependent on others for their adaptation in the external environment within one minute of birth. Neonatal Jaundice is one of the most common condition requiring medical attention in newborn babies, approximately 60% of term and 80% of preterm babies develop jaundice in the 1st week of life. Healthcare providers need to be familiar with the diagnosis and management of jaundice to prevent brain, vision and hearing damage. Treatment of choice for jaundice remains close observation and frequent feeding followed by phototherapy and exchange transfusion. Methods: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge 3rd year B Sc Nursing students regarding care of newborn on phototherapy. Research design adopted for the study was descriptive survey design. Non probability convenience sampling technique was adopted to select 70 nursing students for the study. Personal Proforma was used to assess the selected personal variables and structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of regarding care of newborn on phototherapy. Results: The results of the study revealed that that majority 46(65.71%) of BSc Nursing students had average knowledge, 22(31.42%) students had poor knowledge and 2(2.85%) had good knowledge and the results also depicted that there was no significant association found between knowledge of nursing students with their personal variables except for source of information. Hence null hypothesis was partially accepted. Discussion: The study has revealed that the knowledge of BSc Nursing students regarding care of newborn on phototherapy was inadequate. The knowledge of nursing students must be enhanced through conducting planned Teaching Program which will be effective in improving the knowledge and skill in taking care of the newborn on phototherapy. Therefore, the study reinforces the need to organize health campaigns and teaching program which sensitize the nursing students.