Detail Cantuman

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) infants are very susceptible to illness. LBW
treatment with the principle of preventing infection is very important at home. The
purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal
knowledge and family support with the prevention of infection at home.
Methods: This study used a correlation design. The samples were 160 mothers who
had low birth weight infants with inclusion criteria mothers give birth to babies
weighing less than 2,500 grams with ages 0-2 months. The samples were obtained
through purposive sampling. The dependent variable was the mother's ability to
prevent infection while the independent variable was the mother's knowledge and
family support. The instruments used were questionnaires. This research analyzed
using Spearman Rho.
Results: The results showed that there was a strong correlation between
knowledge and the ability to prevent infection in treating low birth weight (r =
0.696; p = 0.00) and that there was a moderate correlation between family support
and infection prevention ability when treating a low birth weight (r = 0.54. p =
0.000).
Conclusion: Factors of maternal knowledge about infection prevention and family
support need to be considered in increasing the ability of mothers to care for babies
with LBW. The factor of maternal knowledge about prevention of infection has a
strong correlation value when compared to family support factors. Further
research is needed on the model of increasing maternal knowledge about LBW
infants during home care