Umbilical cord care knowledge and practices among postnatal mothers living in Kibungo hospital catchment area

Abstract

BACK GROUND: Globally, about 130 million neonates are delivered every year with an estimated 4 million deaths happening within 4 weeks after birth and 1, 5 million of those deaths are caused by infections. In absence of preventive measureon umbilical cord of neonates through the stump of the cord and sepsis including omphalitis can occur in the first week and two weeks after birth. However inadequate knowledge and harmful cord care practices among postnatal mothers are the cause to increase omphalitis and umbilical cord infection is the main cause of deaths among neonates in developing countries.

THE AIM: To assess umbilical cord care knowledge and practices among postnatal mothers living in Kibungo Hospital catchment area.

METHODOLOGY: A cross- section study and purposive sampling strategy were used to collect data from 224 mothers of neonates attending health centers in Kibungo Hospital catchment area. Study site was vaccination clinic at the health centers. A structured questionnaire instrument was used to collect data in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data.

RESULTS: Nearly all93%were delivered at the health centers , this study highlighted that participants with poor knowledge on umbilical cord care were dominant (67%) and some mothers have applied substance on neonates umbilicus. The most substances used were body ointment like Vaseline (23%) and movit (15%). Yet it is remarkable that there is a correlation between mothers’ knowledge and substances applied on infants umbilicus as well as the days on which substances were used (R2 =0.224, P=0.001; R2 =0.167, P=0.012).

CONCLUSION: Knowledge of umbilical cord care is poor, and harmful practices are still practiced. Health care providers can educate mothers and improve umbilical cord outcome.