Effectiveness and Acceptability of Audiovisual Aids (Videos) for Increasing Knowledge of Neonatal Danger Signs among Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: To determine whether health education using audiovisual aids (video) and the standard mother and child health booklet among primiparous women increases knowledge of neonatal danger signs compared to use of the standard mother and child health booklet alone. To evaluate acceptability of audiovisual aids for health education. Results: At baseline, 153 mothers were enrolled (Intervention:77, Control:76). The two arms of the study were comparable for socio-demographics and care seeking. At week 1, the intervention arm had greater knowledge of trouble breathing (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.25-5) and red swollen eyes with drainage (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.4-5). At week 4, the intervention arm had greater knowledge of 5 of the 10 signs i.e. less energy (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.25-5), fits (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.1-5), trouble breathing (OR 3.3 95% CI 1.6-5), skin pustules (OR 2.5 95% CI 1.1-5) and red swollen eyes with drainage (OR 5 95% CI 2-10). About 85% of mothers thought the audiovisual aids were beneficial.