Knowledge of 3rd Year Degree Nursing Students at a University Regarding Contributing Factors of Neonatal Sepsis, Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Manuella Gaingos and Joseph Galukeni Kadhila

Introduction: Neonatal Sepsis is the blood infection that occurs in an infant younger than 90 days old. Early onset is seen in the first week of life and late onset sepsis occurs after 1 week through 3 months of age. The symptoms are breathing problems, low blood sugar, reduced body movements, vomiting, decreased bowel movements, jaundice and the possible complications are disability and. Neonatal sepsis is a public health problem that causes death or disability in infant younger than 90 days old unless proper antibiotic treatment is given on time.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 73 3rdyear nursing students from UNAM main campus. The study had a 100% response rate, with most of the 3rdyear nursing students being female, and also not being enrolled in practicing nursing before.

Results: The study found that that most of the 3rdyear nursing students had sound knowledge of the factors contributing to neonatal sepsis as the study found that most students were aware that prematurity and low-birth-weight were contributing factors of neonatal sepsis. The 3rdyear nursing students were also knowledgeable that pre-mature rapture of the membranes is one of the contributing factors of neonatal sepsis, and that babies with low-birth-weight were at risk of being infected with neonatal sepsis. Findings also show that 3rdyear nursing students had sound knowledge of when neonatal sepsis occurs and when to diagnose it.

Conclusion: The study concluded that concluded that 3rd year nursing students at UNAM main campus has good knowledge about the contributing factors of neonatal sepsis. However, the 3rdyear nursing students still need to improve their knowledge on the management practices of neonatal sepsis as some of the students chose to remain neutral at questions that assessed the management practices of neonatal sepsis. Recommendations were made based on the findings.

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