PNC knowledge assessment
infection
INFECTION
We adopted knowledge assessment questionnaire from a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted to determine the knowledge of postnatal care among postpartum mothers during discharge in maternity hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea [The PNC knowledge questionnaire was designed to record women’s correct responses on a continuous scale. The knowledge assessment questionnaire included 20 questions (with 61 items each having one score). The questionnaire covered two components: maternal care and baby care. Maternal care component encompassed danger signs in mother (13 items), infection prevention (9 items), care of bladder (1 item), timing of sexual activity initiation (1 item), nutrition (6 items), pregnancy prevention by exclusive breastfeeding (1 item), known contraceptive methods (4 items), where to go if experience danger signs (1 item) timing of PNC visit (1 item) and necessity of PNC visit (1 item). Similarly, baby care components included how to keep baby warm (2 items), time of first newborn baby bath (1 item), umbilical care (1 item), initiation of breastfeeding (1 item), frequency of breastfeeding per day (1 item), exclusive breastfeeding (1 item), importance of vaccination (2 items), and newborn danger signs (14 items). Every correct response was given a “1” score and the incorrect response was given a “0” score. The overall response was calculated by summing up all the individual item scores. The total sum was computed twice, (1) at enrollment and (2) at the end of the study. Higher scores signified higher PNC knowledge level. An increase in the knowledge assessment scores signified an increase in the PNC knowledge.