Newborn Care Practices Research Articles

Evaluation of interventions for essential newborn care practices at home-based delivery in India

Abstract India has the largest share of neonatal mortality, accounting for 21.7 per 1,000 in 2019, while the global goal is at least 12 per 1,000 by 2030. More than 20% of deliveries still occur at home in India for various reasons. Several national interventions were designed to ensure essential practices even at home by engaging skilled birth attendants (SBAs), antenatal care (ANC), and community health workers (CHWs). This study evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions on essential newborn care practices (EP); clean cord care, thermal care, and breastfeeding. Using data from the 2015-2016 India Demographic and Health Survey (n = 9,273), this study employs structural equation modeling to confirm the relationship between SBA, ANC, CHWs` counseling, and EP, including indirect effects of ANC and CHWs and moderating effects of women's empowerment. The results show that SBA and ANC have significant direct effects (standardised coefficient=0.105 and 0.056, respectively) on EP, and ANC and CHWs have significant indirect effects (0.015 and 0.004) in the well-fitted model (CFI=0.938, TLI=0.920, RMSEA (upper 90% CI)=0.028 (0.029), SRMR=0.044). The empowerment-related factors which had a significant positive moderating effect on the paths from SBA to EP and from ANC to EP are decision-making power (0.007, 0.003), allowed mobility (0.002, 0.001), and education (0.009, 0.004). More than 90% of EP variance is not associated with the factors in this model (standardised coefficient=0.958). SBA demonstrated the most considerable effectiveness for EP, while ANCs and CHW indirectly impacted EP. Improving women's empowerment can be an effective strategy to enhance EP. Previous literature said that the other factors explaining EP could be quality of care, other interventions for a safe birth, and cultural characteristics. Policymakers are recommended to consider comprehensive factors to address barriers to safe home birth and design CHW's intervention to persuade SBA. Key messages

Predictors of knowledge and practice of newborn care among post-natal mothers attending immunisation clinics in Southeast Nigeria.

Evidence-based newborn care practice recommended by WHO reduces neonatal mortality and improves neonatal outcomes. This study assessed the knowledge, practice-associated factors and predictors of essential newborn care among post-natal mothers in two primary health care centres in Southeast Nigeria. A cross-sectional total population study. Two primary health care centres in two local government areas in Southeast Nigeria. Post-natal mothers who attended immunisation clinics. Quantitative data was collected over four weeks from 400 post-natal mothers. Chi-square test and logistic regression were carried out for associations and predictors, respectively. Analytical decisions were taken at p<0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Knowledge, attitude, the practice of essential newborn care; predictors of practice. Mean age of participants was 28.68±5.4. The majority (78.9%) had been counselled on newborn care and 85.2% delivered in a formal health facility. The majority (77%) had good knowledge of essential newborn care and practices (61%). More than half (62.3%) reported support from health workers. Predictors of good practice were older age (AOR: 0.435; 95%CI: 0.212-0.893), being married (AOR: 8.095; 95%CI: 3.732-17.558), living in the urban area (AOR: 0.478; 0.291-0.784), and having good knowledge of newborn care (AOR: 0.239; CI: 0.139-0.411). Good practice was identified in the majority. Being married, older, living in urban areas and having good knowledge were predictors of good practice. Health facility delivery, continuous support by health workers and post-natal education to mothers in rural areas are recommended policy priorities. None declared.

Factors influencing the Level of Knowledge and Practices of Newborn Care

Each year nearly 7.7 million children under five years die around the world, out of which approximately 3.1 million newborns die during the neonatal period, and almost all these (99%) deaths occur in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, neonatal deaths account for 45% of under-five deaths. More than one-third of these deaths occur in the first 24 h of birth, whereas three-quarters of the neonatal deaths occur in the first seven days of delivery. This study aims to assess mothers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about newborns' care and its related factors in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the postnatal ward, DMCH, to assess the level of Knowledge and Practice regarding newborn care among postnatal mothers in the postnatal ward of DMCH. Pre-testing was done to ensure the validity and reliability of the questionnaire with five patients in the postnatal ward of the study location. Data were collected from 200 post-natal mothers who met the inclusion criteria. Structured and unstructured (closed and open-ended) MCQ for knowledge-related and 4-point Likert scale for practice-related questionnaires were used to collect data and age was distributed according to the class interval. The findings showed that there was an association between patients' knowledge and attitude regarding newborn care and their education. Postnatal mothers from urban settings had more knowledge and good practice than postnatal mothers from a rural settings. But this investigator did not compare in this area.

Maternal and Newborn Care Practices among the Muslim Slum Dwellers in India: Does the Popular Common Sense Matter?

Despite a large number of government health programs, schemes and incentives, India is trailing in achieving global sustainable development goals on ensuring healthy lives and reducing maternal mortality ratio, under-five mortality and neonatal mortality. For improving maternal and child health, one of the possible ways could be making sense of maternal and newborn care practices. These practices are dynamic and interwoven in the socio-cultural milieu. Many of these practices have detrimental effect on the health of mother and newborn. There is need to explore, understand and negotiate with maternal and newborn care practices for locating elements of ‘good sense’ in these practices, which could be helpful in promoting better maternal and child health. It is in this context that an attempt is made to describe the maternal and newborn care practices among the Muslim slum dwellers in Hyderabad, Telangana (India).

Skilled maternal healthcare and good essential newborn care practice in rural Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study.

Background and AimsEssential newborn care (ENC) practices play an important role in reducing the risk of infant mortality and morbidity. Therefore, more studies are needed on ENC practices. Skilled maternal healthcare can be a good strategy to increase the practice. Learn about the independent and joint effects of skilled maternal healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth on newborn care practices.MethodsThe study used a cross‐sectional data obtained from Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2019. To investigate the association between maternal healthcare utilization and good ENC practice (cord care, delayed bathing, and immediate breast‐feeding), χ 2 test and t‐test in bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis, respectively have been performed after taking into account complex survey design.ResultsOnly about 24% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.95%–25.89%) women given birth at home in rural Bangladesh followed good newborn care practice. The results obtained from adjusted regression analysis showed that a woman was 24%, 49%, and 75% more likely of having good ENC practice if she received four or more skilled checkups during antenatal period only (adjusted odds ratios [AOR]: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.60), received assistance from SBA during delivery only (AOR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.12, 1.97) and received skilled healthcare in both pregnancy and delivery (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.13, 2.71), respectively compared to a woman who did not get an opportunity to receive skilled healthcare during pregnancy and delivery. Among the selected confounders, maternal age at birth, birth order, education of household heads and religion showed a significant association with good ENC practice.ConclusionThe study revealed that proper maternal healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth from skilled health personnel can improve the rate of ENC practices. For this, more training programs should be started, especially at the community level, and health promotion activities are needed to create awareness about efficient maternal healthcare practices.

Effect of WHO-SCC based intra-department mentoring program on quality of intrapartum care in public sector secondary hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, India: Pre-post mixed methods evaluation.

Quality of intrapartum care is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes; several models for improving performance are tested, globally. Dakshata is one such WHO SCC-based national program-improving resources, providers' competence, and accountability-in public sector secondary care hospitals of India. Andhra Pradesh state devised strategy of mentoring by the handpicked member from within the obstetric team, supported by external technical partner. We evaluated the effectiveness and assessed contextual factors to success of the program. We conducted pre and post mentoring mixed-method surveys to evaluate the change in evidence-based intrapartum and newborn care practices and stillbirth rates, across 23 of 38 eligible hospitals. We directly observed obstetric assessments and childbirth, extracted data from casesheets and registers, interviewed beneficiaries and conducted facility surveys. We in-depth interviewed stakeholders from state, district and facility managers, mentors and obstetric staff, and external managers for theory-driven qualitative assessment. After one year we found, average adherence to practices sustained high during admission (81%, 81%); improved during childbirth (78%, 86%; p = 0.016); moderate within one hour of birth (72%, 71%), and poor postpartum care before discharge (46% to 43%). Stillbirths reduced from 11(95% CI, 9-13) to 4(3-5) per 1000 births (p<0.001). Some practices did not improve even after sustained reinforcement. Commitment from state, engaging district officers, monitoring and feedback by external managers enabled supportive setting. The structured training and mentoring package, and periodic assessments delivered under supervision ensured the standards of mentoring. The mentoring model is acceptable, effective, less costly and scalable; appears sustainable if state commits to institutionalising a long-term mentoring with adequate monitoring. We conclude that the SCC-based mentoring and skill building program showed improvement in practices during childbirth while it sustained high levels of care during admission, but no improvement in postpartum care. The state needs to monitor and ensure continuous mentoring with required infrastructural support.

Essential newborn care practices in Zambia.

Neonatal mortality remains high in Zambia and is declining slower than infant and under five mortality. Improved adoption of essential newborn care (ENC) could help mitigate this situation. To determine the adoption of ENC practices in Zambia, cross-sectional data was used to assess ENC practices including baby kept warm, umbilical cord care and breastfeeding. Chi-square was used to assess whether maternal and social demographic factors were related to ENC. Households surveyed were 12,507, which included 5,741 women with children under two years. Findings show that 95.4% of babies were dried immediately after birth, 96.5% wrapped in a cloth/blanket, 76.7% put on mother’s torso and 68.5% head covered (51.6% for all four). Eightyfive- point six percent of baby’s cords were cut with a sharp and clean instrument, 46% cord kept dry and 42.1% cord kept clean (31.2% for all three). Ninety-six-point nine percent of babies were breastfed, 89.3% were initiated within one hour and 93% exclusively breastfed for the first 3 days post-delivery (82% for all three). Babies kept warm were associated with skilled birth attendance (SBA) and province, umbilical cord care with SBA, >4 antenatal care (ANC) visits, marital status and province, and breastfeeding with >4 ANC visits, marital status and province. Early and exclusive breastfeeding is widely practiced. However, appropriate thermal and cord care practices are low. There is need for a scale-up of appropriate newborn care practices in Zambia and SBA could play an important role in this regard.

Assessing essential new born care practice and associated factors in mothers who gave birth within the last 6 months in east badewacho woreda, hadiyya zone, Ethiopia

Background: Every year, more than 2.7 million new-borns die before reaching neonatal age in the world, with the majority of these deaths occurring at home. Surprisingly, half of these occur within the first 24 hours of delivery, and 75% occur in the early neonatal period. One low-cost approach to improving new-born baby health outcomes is to promote essential new-born care practices. Objective: Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate essential new-born care practices and associated factors among mothers who gave birth within the last 6 months in East Badewacho woreda, Hadiyya zone. Methods: From March 1 to April 30, 2018, a community-based cross-sectional study was designed. The sampled population consisted of 399 mothers who had live births within the previous six months, as determined by a multistage random sampling technique. The data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 before being exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. A binary logistic regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval was performed. Results: Less than half of the mothers (34.1 %) practice essential new-born care. The husband's educational status [AOR=0.24, CI (0.089, 0.64)] and [AOR=0.314, CI (0.126, 0.78)], place of delivery [AOR=0.024, CI (0.009, 0.068)] and knowledge of essential new-born care [AOR=2.03, CI (1.223,3.371)] were significant predictors of essential new-born care practice. Conclusion: The study's findings revealed that essential new-born care was not widely practiced in East Badewacho Woreda. As a result, strengthen the link between health centers and health posts in order to increase ANC, institutional delivery, and PNC service utilization.

Role of Homoeopathy in Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) practices in UP and India

A newborn struggle in the first month of his or her life as is evident from mythology that Lord Krishna too had a turbulent neonatal stage. The struggle of newborns continues in India even today and that too in the state of UP even today. The current Neonatal Mortality Rate in India is 22 per 1000 live births (UNIGME, 2019), 24.9 as per NFHS 5 (2019-2021) &amp; for the state of UP, it is 35.7 (NFHS 5, 2019-2021). The high neonatal mortality both in India and UP stand as a testimony to this fact as reducing this indicator is a priority. The current article focuses on the initiatives of the role of homoeopathy in public health system to address neonatal mortality. Basically, there are two approaches to reduce neonatal mortality. These are Home Based Neonatal Care (HBNC) practices and the Facility Based Neonatal Care (FBNC) practices. The article focuses exclusively on the first approach which is HBNC .There are three objectives of the article. The first is to find out the current status of Homoeopathy in the HBNC practices, the second is to find out the details of the current &amp; past implementation strategies and the third is to find out the link between Homoeopathy &amp; HBNC practices. The study uses secondary data. The gap that the article worked on is to explore a link between Homoeopathy &amp; HBNC &amp; its modalities. It deciphers whether there is a functional link or not &amp; suggests future strategies based on the functionality of the link. The article also proposes a 2 year plan to introduce homoeopathy in the field of newborn care where all the related stake holders of the state &amp; national level will be involved. It will be a step in the right direction to fulfill the plans to achieve the SDG by 2030 especially for neonatal &amp; infant mortality related goals. For the benefit of the readers, the article includes its expected outcome, relevance to society &amp; policy making through the context of the identified issues &amp; the research gap. Through all these sections, the current ......

Knowledge, Practice, and Associated Factors of Essential Newborn Care among Sudanese Women in Eastern Sudan.

(1) Background: There is a high neonatal mortality rate in countries with low resources, especially sub-Saharan countries. There is no published data in Sudan on mothers’ knowledge and practice of essential newborn care. This study aimed to assess the maternal knowledge and practice of essential newborn care in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. Postnatal mothers (384) were recruited from postnatal and vaccination clinics. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Mothers who responded to essential newborn care knowledge and practice items at a rate equal to 75% or above were classified as having good knowledge and practice. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with essential newborn care knowledge and practice. (3) Results: In this study, 268 (66.4%) and 245 (63.8%) of the 384 participants had good knowledge and practice of essential newborn care, respectively. None of the investigated factors (age, residence, education, occupation, parity, antenatal care, and mode of delivery) was associated with knowledge and practice of essential newborn care with sociodemographic and obstetric factors. Mothers with poor knowledge were less likely to have good practices (adjusted odds ratios = 0.41; 95% CI (0.26–0.64)). The reported malpractices were giving dietary supplements to the babies (48.2%), mainly water (40.0%) and cow’s milk (43.2%), and putting substances on the umbilical cord (62.8%), with butter (92.1%) accounting for the majority. (4) Conclusion: In the present study, around two-thirds of the participants had good essential newborn care knowledge and practice. Poor knowledge was less likely to be associated with good newborn care practices. More research is needed to build baseline data for neonatal mortality reduction plans.

Essential newborn care practices for healthy newborns at a district hospital in Pemba, Tanzania: a cross-sectional observational study utilizing video recordings

ABSTRACT Background High-quality essential newborn care (ENC) can improve newborn health and reduce preventable newborn mortality. The World Health Organization recommends specific ENC interventions. Video recordings have potential as a tool for assessment of clinical care also in low and middle-income countries. Objective To use video observations of healthy newborns to describe ENC practices in a low-income setting and compare actual clinical practice with WHO recommendations. Method This is a cross-sectional observational study. Video records of neonatal interventions to 324 healthy newborns were assessed. They were obtained at baseline of a pre-post intervention study during a 10-week study period in Pemba, Tanzania. Data also included postnatal structured questionnaires. Eight ENC interventions and quality indicators were defined as per the WHO recommendations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize ENC practices and maternal and neonatal characteristics. Results None of the newborns received all eight recommended ENC interventions. The median duration of separation from the mother was 25 minutes and 15 seconds (ranging from 22 seconds to 3 hours and 36 minutes), 51% of the newborns received proper thermal care during the separation. Twenty-one percent had sufficient umbilical cord care, 8% were stimulated for breathing, 69% were observed at least once by healthcare staff and 9% did undergo suctioning. None of the newborns received antibiotic ointments or vitamin K. Conclusion Video recording of healthy newborns was feasible. The study identified omission of key ENC practices including proper thermal care, skin-to-skin contact and establishment of breastfeeding within the first hour of life, vitamin K administration as well as application of unnecessary practices such as excessive suctioning of breathing newborns.

Quality newborn care in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea: measuring early newborn care practices and identifying opportunities for improvement

BackgroundRenewed attention and investment is needed to improve the quality of care during the early newborn period to address preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We aimed to assess early newborn care practices and identify opportunities for improvement in one province (East New Britain) in PNG.MethodsA mixed-methods study was undertaken in five rural health facilities in the province using a combination of facility audits, labour observations and qualitative interviews with women and maternity providers. Data collection took place between September 2019 and February 2020. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, whilst qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Data were triangulated by data source.ResultsFive facility audits, 30 labour observations (in four of the facilities), and interviews with 13 women and eight health providers were conducted to examine early newborn care practices. We found a perinatal mortality rate of 32.2 perinatal deaths per 1000 total births and several barriers to quality newborn care, including an insufficient workforce, critical infrastructure and utility constraints, and limited availability of essential newborn medicines and equipment. Most newborns received at least one essential newborn care practice in the first hour of life, such as immediate and thorough drying (97%).ConclusionsWe observed high rates of essential newborn care practices including immediate skin-to-skin and delayed cord clamping. We also identified multiple barriers to improving the quality of newborn care in East New Britain, PNG. These findings can inform the development of effective interventions to improve the quality of newborn care. Further, this study demonstrates that multi-faceted programs that include increased investment in the health workforce, education and training, and availability of essential equipment, medicines, and supplies are required to improve newborn outcomes.

Newborn care: A qualitative study of inter-cultural variations and similarities among two ethnic groups in Northeastern Nigeria.

Neonatal mortality remains unacceptably high in most sub-Saharan and Asian communities, where cultural practices and poor antenatal care are common. Newborn care practices play a key role in preventing neonatal deaths. This study aimed to examine similarities and variations in newborn care between two major ethnic groups in northeast Nigeria. Qualitative methods involving narratives, observations, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews were used to collect data from recent mothers (ten per ethnic group) and grandmothers from the Babur/Bura and Kanuri ethnic groups in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. A snowballing sampling technique was used to select the participants within four communities/villages (two for each ethnic group). Babies were bathed within 30 to 45 minutes after delivery by mothers in both groups, except in case of ill health of the child and/or mother. Various substances were applied to the cord even though hygienic cord-cutting practice was reported. With the exception of early bathing, good thermal care practices were observed in both groups. Both groups applied emollients on the skin of the babies, but Bura preferred the use of shea butter to oils and lotion. Various substances were applied to other parts of the body of the baby, such as the fontanelle (Mahogany oil), anus (Neem oil and Mahogany oil), and circumcision wound (engine oil) more so among the Bura than the Kanuri. None of the substances were deemed to be harmful. Similarities and variations in newborn care exist between the two ethnic groups. There is a need for health education and promotion to encourage and facilitate positive behavioral change from old traditional practices to healthy newborn care practices among the Babur/Bura and Kanuri ethnic groups.

Trends and Resource Use for Kernicterus Hospitalizations in the United States.

To evaluate the trends in hospitalization for kernicterus in the United States from 2006 through 2016. Repeated, cross-sectional analysis of the 2006 to 2016 editions of the Kids' Inpatient Database. All neonatal hospitalizations with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code for kernicterus and admitted at age ≤28 days were included. Among 16 094 653 neonatal hospitalizations from 2006 to 2016, 20.5% were diagnosed with jaundice with overall incidence of kernicterus 0.5 per 100 000. The rate of kernicterus (per 100 000) was higher among males (0.59), Asian or Pacific Islanders (1.04), and urban teaching hospitals (0.72). Between 2006 and 2016, the incidence of kernicterus decreased from 0.7 to 0.2 per 100 000 (P-trend = .03). The overall median length of stay for kernicterus was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 3-8 days). The overall median inflation-adjusted cost of hospitalization was $5470 (IQR, $1609-$19 989). Although the incidence of kernicterus decreased between 2006 and 2016, its continued occurrence at a higher rate among Asian or Pacific Islander and Black race or ethnicity in the United States require further probing. Multipronged approach including designating kernicterus as a reportable event, strengthening newborn hyperbilirubinemia care practices and bilirubin surveillance, parental empowerment, and removing barriers to care can potentially decrease the rate of kernicterus further.

Effect of health facility linkage with community using postnatal card on postnatal home visit coverage and newborn care practices in rural Ethiopia: A controlled quasi-experimental study design.

BackgroundPostnatal home visit has the potential to improve maternal and newborn health, but it remains as a missed opportunity in many low-and middle-income countries. This study examines the effect of health extension worker administered postnatal card combined with health facility strengthening intervention on postnatal home visit coverage, newborn care practices, and knowledge of newborn danger signs in rural Ethiopia.MethodsWe employed quasi-experimental design using controlled before-and-after study in intervention and comparison districts of rural Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Training of health extension workers (HEWs) on postnatal home visit (PNHV), training of healthcare providers on maternal and newborn care, and capacity building of healthcare authorities on leadership, management and governance together with health system strengthening were the implemented interventions. Baseline (n = 705) and end line (n = 980) data were collected from mothers who delivered a year before the commencement of the actual data collection in the respective surveys. We used difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis to assess the effect of the intervention on PNHV coverage, essential newborn care practices and maternal knowledge of newborn danger signs.ResultsA total of 1685 (100%) mothers participated in this study. In all districts, more than 1/3rd of the mothers 633(37.57%) were in the age of 30–39 years. The difference-in-differences estimator showed an average of 23.5% increase in coverage of PNHVs within three days (DiD, p<0.001) and the provision of most postnatal contents significantly increased in the intervention district in the end line survey. The knowledge of at least three danger signs increased by 13.6% (p = 0.012).The DiD estimator showed an average of 27.6% increase to check the mothers for heavy bleeding (DiD, p = 0.011). This study also revealed that the checking of maternal blood pressure increased from 5.8% to 11.8% in the comparison districts and from 9.4% to 93.3% in the intervention district. The difference-in-differences estimator result showed a 9% difference in clean cord care practices among the participants (p = 0.025), 12.2% in skin to skin care (p = 0.022), and borderline significant increase in early initiation of breastfeeding (10.5%, p = 0.051).ConclusionWe conclude that the intervention package was effective in improving the coverage of PNHV, increase in knowledge of newborn danger sign and essential newborn care practices. Hence, further strengthening the linkages between health facilities and community is imperative to improve the coverage of essential lifesaving maternal and newborn care services by HEWs at home.

Barriers and enablers to the provision of postnatal newborn care at community health centres in Sikka district, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia

ObjectiveThis study examined routine newborn care practices provided in the postnatal ward of primary health care facilities, known as Puskesmas, in Sikka District of eastern Indonesia The newborn mortality rate in this region is higher than the national rate despite an increasing proportion of facility based births, suggesting suboptimal quality of newborn care. DesignWe employed a mixed methods study combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, in four purposively sampled Puskesmas. Nine mothers, twelve midwives, and four key informants were interviewed on the provision and experience of postnatal care, and an audit of postnatal care processes, including observation of routine postnatal check-up was conducted. The data were analyzed using framework analysis and standard descriptive statistics. FindingsDespite appropriate regulation, national guidance on postnatal care and adequate financing that supported continuity of supplies and equipment, postnatal care practices, including counselling around newborn danger signs, did not meet the national guidelines in any of the Puskesmas in this study. Postnatal care was a low priority, the responsibility often given to new graduates on voluntary placements with little job security, who were insufficiently trained or supervised. In addition, inadequate water and sanitation in postnatal care wards deterred women from staying for the recommended postnatal observation period. ConclusionDespite strong support for postnatal care at the policy level, at the implementation level postnatal newborn care is not prioritised by midwives. Under-functioning infrastructure and inadequate planning and budgeting for postnatal check-ups are major challenges to the provision of care in the postnatal wards.

Study to assess the existing cultural beliefs and associate practices regarding newborn care among mothers in Chandu Village at Gurugram, Haryana

Introduction: Culture is defined as a shared system of beliefs, values and behavioural expectations that provide social structure for daily living. Not all customs and beliefs are harmful. Some of them have positive values while others may be of no role or positively harmful for the baby’s health in various forms like physical, psychological, social development. The objective of the study was to explore the cultural beliefs and associate practices in new born care among mothers. Statement Of The Problem:“ A study to assess the existing cultural beliefs and associate practices regarding newborn care among mothers in Chandu Village at Gurugram, Haryana”. Method: Research approach used was quantitative, a descriptive design was used. targeted population of newborn babies were’100 mothers. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. The data was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire and analysed and interpretation by descriptive and interferential statics. Result: Result shows that 98%mothers follow the cultural associate practices whereas 2% do not follow. Overall mean value was13.19±1.978. Conclusion: The finding of the study concluded that the mothers with the average knowledge scores regarding cultural beliefs and associate practices of newborn babies are more as compared to the low cultural beliefs and practices.

Maternal Care in Private Sector, Colombo District, Sri Lanka; Profile and Factors associated with key Newborn Care Practices

Aims: Limited information is available on private sector contribution for maternal care in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this assessment is to describe the maternal and newborn characteristics of deliveries in private sector in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Secondly, the assessment of the factors associated with key newborn care practices using the National Maternal and Newborn Health Management Information System of Private Health Institutions (NMNMIS-PHI)-Phase 1 was conducted.&#x0D; Study design: Secondary descriptive analysis was performed using data reported in the NMNMIS-PHI-Phase 1, Sri Lanka.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: All deliveries in private health institutions in Colombo District which were reported in the NMNMIS-PHI-Phase 1 was included in the study. The time period was from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: Maternal, delivery and newborn characteristics of national vs. private sector in Colombo District were compared using Z test. Associated factors for key newborn care practices was calculated using univariate and multivariate Odds ratios.&#x0D; Results: Incidence of Gestational DM was higher among pregnant women delivered at private sector, Colombo compared to national rate (17.9% vs. 7.1%, p&lt;0.001). Further, the reported caesarean section rate in private sector was close to twofold that of the national rate (76.5% vs. 41.9%, p&lt;0.001). Stillbirth rate of private sector in Colombo was comparatively low than the national rate (0.2% vs. 0.7%). Similarly, reduced number of low-birth-weight newborns was reported in private sector in comparison to national figure (12.4% vs. 13.9%). Significantly more newborns of primi-pregnant women received skin-to-skin contact (SSC) immediately after birth compared to newborns of multi-parous women (AOR=0.814, CI=0.735-0.900, p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal characteristics of pregnant women delivered in private sector in Colombo was significantly different from the national profile of pregnant women. Promotion of immediate SSC and reduction in unnecessary caesarean sections should be considered in private sector deliveries in Sri Lanka to further enhance the positive maternal and newborn outcomes.

Variation in United States COVID-19 newborn care practices: results of an online physician survey

BackgroundNewborn care practices that best promote the health and well-being of mother-infant dyads after birth while minimizing transmission of COVID-19 were uncertain at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveExamine variation in COVID-19 newborn care practices among U.S. birth hospitals and by hospital characteristics (U.S. census region, highest level of neonatal level of care, and Baby-Friendly hospital status).Study DesignWe surveyed physicians via American Academy of Pediatrics email listservs and social media between 5/26/2020-6/8/2020. Physicians identified the birth hospital in which they provided newborn care and their hospital’s approach to obstetrical and newborn care related to COVID-19. Chi-square tests were used to examine variation in hospital practices by U.S. census region, highest level of neonatal care, and Baby-Friendly hospital status.ResultsFour hundred thirty three physicians responded from 318 hospitals across 46 states. Variation in care of SARS-CoV-2 positive mother-infant dyads was greatest for approaches to location of newborn care (31% separation, 17% rooming-in, and 51% based on shared-decision making), early skin-to-skin care (48% prohibited/discouraged, 11% encouraged, and 40% based on shared-decision making) and direct breastfeeding (37% prohibited/discouraged, 15% encouraged, and 48% based on shared-decision making). Among presumed uninfected dyads, 59% of hospitals discharged at least some mother-infant dyads early. We found variation in practices by U.S. census region.ConclusionApproaches to newborn care and breastfeeding support for mother-infant dyads with positive SARS-CoV-2 testing differed across U.S. birth hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early discharge of presumed uninfected mother-infant dyads was common.

Community-based new born care practice and its associated factors among women who give birth at home in Ethiopia: cross-sectional study

Background In Ethiopia, perinatal mortality rate was 33 per 1000 pregnancies and 64.4% of this death was occurred within the first 7 days of neonatal life. Moreover, more than 2.1% of new born babies were died within their first seven days of life in Ethiopia. Majority of neonatal deaths are preventable by applying an effective and lifesaving interventions. However, little is known about newborn care practice at the community level. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was used. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to get a total of 540 mothers who gave birth at home within the past six months from their kebeles in Ethiopia. Data was collected by using face-to-face interview with structured questionnaires. Then the data was coded, cleaned, and entered into Epidemiological data version 3.1 and exported to statistical package for social science version 23.0 for analyses. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify statistically significant associations between dependent and independent variables. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval with P-Value 0.05% was computed. Results A total of 540 women were participated with a response rate of 98.3%. Only 208 (44%) of the women had good practice towards essential newborn care. Head of households [AOR (95%CI) 2.7417 (1.80–4.25)], type of birth attendant [AOR (95%CI) 3.962 (3.329–7.171)] and bad obstetrical history [AOR (95%CI) 3.151 (2.209–4.969)] were significantly associated with maternal newborn care practice. Conclusion Less than half of the mothers had good newborn care practice. In this study, head of household, type of birth attendant, and bad obstetrical history were significantly associated with maternal newborn care practice. Therefore, Ministry of Women and Woreda women and Child offices needs to promote the socioeconomic empowerment of women to increase the practice of essential newborn care practices.