Pattern of Newborn care and associated Health Problems among home delivered children

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Newborn Care practices during neonatal period contribute to risk of mortality and morbidity. It is estimated that in Nepal nearly 50,000 children under one year of age die every twelve months. This study aims to identify newborn care and practices in rural area in the study population.

Methodology: 248 mothers having children of age < 6 months having delivery at home were selected from ten VDCs of Sunsari district using multistage random sampling. Standardized questionnaire were filled through interview with mothers/ female head of the family who assisted the delivery. Data were analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17. Chi-square test was conducted and p-value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.

Results: More than half (53.6%) of the newborns were assisted with Clean Home Delivery Kit. However, only 32.6% of the newborn babies applied antiseptic disinfectant to umbilical stump. Majority (76.6%) of the newborns bathed within 24 hour after birth. Less than half of respondents (41.9%) started breast feeding within 1 hour of birth and majority of the respondents (82.7%) fed colostrums to the newborn. Majority (37.9%) of children suffered from Acute Respiratory tract Infection, jaundice, redness and discharge around the cord, skin rashes and eye discharge. The methods used to make room warm was significantly associated (χ2 = 13.68, p- value = 0.001) with the occurrence of ARI. Materials applied for dressing of cord was significantly associated with problems of cord in babies (χ² = 10.89, p- value = 0.004). Discharge from eye was found more among the babies who applied kajal however it was statistically insignificant. (χ² = 0.60 p=0.439).

Conclusion: High-risk traditional newborn care practices are common and need to be addressed.

Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2013) Vol. 1 (2): 11-16

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jmcjms.v1i2.9262