Abstract
This study investigates the influence of traditional variables on umbilical cord management among nursing mothers in Calabar Education Zone, Cross River State. Two research questions were answered in the study. The survey design was adopted for this study. The sample size of 748 nursing mothers that delivered within six months, currently obtaining postnatal health care services was drawn from a population of 1,068 nursing mothers in the area of study. “Traditional Variables and Umbilical Cord Management Questionnaire (CVUCMQ)” was used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha method was used to analyse the data with reliability estimates for the variable ranging from .81 to .88. The first finding indicates that traditional beliefs affect neonatal umbilical cord management by nursing mothers. The second finding of this study shows the influence of traditional practices on neonatal umbilical cord management by nursing mothers in Southern Cross River State. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the impact of traditional beliefs and practices are the strong traditional variables that nursing mothers and health care workers must pay due attention to ensure effective delivery of quality patient care. The study recommended among others that there should be forums to address traditional rulers and their cabinets on the dangers of unhealthy traditional beliefs and practices surrounding umbilical cord management.
Highlights
It is logical when people believe and attribute causes of disease or death to supernatural powers (Osuchukwu, 2014) as they will be more likely to do something to keep it under control
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of traditional variables and umbilical cord management among Mothers in Calabar education zone, Cross River State, Nigeria. the objectives of the study are to investigate the influence of: i
How do traditional beliefs influence neonatal umbilical cord management? Table 1 shows the opinions of the respondents on the traditional beliefs and neonatal umbilical cord management by nursing mothers
Summary
It is logical when people believe and attribute causes of disease or death to supernatural powers (Osuchukwu, 2014) as they will be more likely to do something to keep it under control. An observation by Bassoumah and Adam (2018) revealed that the traditional practitioners performed both spiritual and medical roles during pregnancy and childbirth. This is what, in most cases cause mothers to use various forms of materials and concoctions for umbilical cord treatment and management in order to hasten cord separation and prevent neonatal deaths, as per traditional beliefs. This may result in cord infection and even death, resulting from neonatal tetanus. Good management should guarantee infection-free cord and the safety of lives of the newborn
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