Care of the newborn’s umbilical cord: The perspectives of mothers in a developing country

Abstract

This study assessed the perspectives of mothers on newborn umbilical cord care in Kumasi city, Ghana.Cross-sectional data on 393 puerperal women was collected at the Postnatal Care (PNC) clinics of three hospitals in the city using. a structured questionnaire and the analysis was implemented using the SPSS version 20.Majority (89%) of the respondents had both adequate knowledge and a positive attitude about appropriate umbilical cord care practices. Methylated spirit was the predominant cleaning agent for umbilical cord. An adjusted odds ratio of 6.333 (p = .003) was obtained for secondary school education.The umbilical cord of the newborn can be a source of neonatal infection which increases the likelihood of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Care of the umbilical cord requires joint effort of health workers and the mothers. Health education on umbilical cord care needs to be further intensified.