Knowledge of mothers with children age 1 to 24 months on diaper dermatitis management and associated practice in a referral hospital in Northern Ghana: a cross sectional study

Introduction: diaper dermatitis is found to be the most common skin condition among children below 24 months. Though it is generally less fatal, it could elevate into a severely painful condition with possible bacterial and fungal infestation requiring a critical medical attention. The study assessed the knowledge of mothers with children in the diaper-wearing age on diaper dermatitis management and associated practice in a referral hospital in Northern Ghana. Methods: the study employed the facility-based cross-sectional study design. A total of 456 mothers with infants aged 1-24 months were recruited using the systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: only a few (23.5%) of the respondents had good knowledge on diaper management with 76.5% reporting poor knowledge. Mothers used baby powder (47.0%), zinc oxide that contained barrier cream baby oil (28.0%), Vaseline (16.0%), baby lotion (16.0%) to prevent diaper dermatitis. Employment status (p=0.011), attachment of diaper to babies (p=0.041), drying methods used after cleaning a child (p=0.039) and substance used to clean infants after bowel movement (p=0.011) were significantly associated with knowledge of diaper dermatitis. Mothers who were full-time homemakers were 1.76 times more likely to have good knowledge in diaper management compared to mothers engaged in economic activities (COR=1.76; Cl (1.14-2.73)). Conclusion: the study showed a low knowledge of diaper dermatitis. Most mothers resort to powder to prevent diaper dermatitis. We recommend that the Ministry of Health, and all health agencies to as a matter of urgency design a framework on the dissemination of reliable information on diaper dermatitis prevention and management.