author(s)
Tuli Das Gupta, Mohammad Injamul Hoq, Mohammed Belal Uddin*, Md. Mustafa Kamal Sarker, Miftahul Jannat, Apurba Chakma, Farhana Aktar

abstract
Neonatal mortality remains a critical public health concern in Bangladesh, currently estimated at 17.4 per 1,000 live births. Despite improved postnatal care coverage, significant gaps persist between maternal knowledge and practice, as early bathing, pre-lacteal feeding, and inadequate hygiene remain common. Cultural beliefs and limited maternal education, especially in rural areas, further hinder optimal neonatal care. In tertiary hospitals such as Chattogram Medical College Hospital, evidence regarding mothers’ neonatal care knowledge and practices is scarce, though their demographic and socioeconomic contexts differ from community populations. Understanding this knowledge–practice gap is vital for developing focused, facility-based interventions to improve neonatal outcomes. This study included 256 postnatal mothers with a mean age of 26 and (±SD) = 5 years; most were aged 21–25 years (39.8%), housewives (78.1%), and Muslims (70.3%). About half (50.4%) earned BDT 10,001–20,000 monthly, and most (69.5%) lived in joint families. Over half (54.3%) were primiparous. Overall, 54.7% demonstrated good knowledge and 36.7% good practice. Knowledge was significantly associated with education (?² = 18.140, P<0.001) and practice (?² = 15.030, p = 0.001). Higher maternal education positively influences knowledge and practice of essential newborn care. Strengthening educational interventions can help bridge this gap and improve neonatal survival outcomes.