NEONATAL CORD CARE PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS PRESENTING TO THE OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE SETUP IN LAHORE PAKISTAN

Background: The umbilical cord can act as a major route of infection among newborns. Majority of early childhood deaths in the developing world occurs through the infected umbilical cord stump. This study promises to investigate the role of different topical agents for the cord care by the mothers

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of neonatal cord care practices among mothers presenting in the out-patient department of University of Child Health Sciences and Children Hospital, Lahore. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used.

Results: Study revealed that Majority of the mothers were applying topical agents that have not been approved and recommended by the competent authorities for the dressing of umbilical cord (62.0%). Factors for example educational status [χ2=8.2, p=0.02], birthplace settings [χ2 = 40.1, p<0.001], advices from the relatives and peers [χ2=95.2, p<0.001] and number of days required for the stump to whither off [χ2=6.2, p=0.05] were found to influence the type of dressing used on the umbilical cord.

Conclusion and Global Health Implications: In order check the neonatal mortality by countering the septic and toxic sequel associated with the preventable cord and stump infections, only the approved and registered topical agents should be endorsed. Parents oriented updated neonatal health education especially on cord care by targeting front line healthcare workers at the primary and secondary healthcare level should be optimized.

Key words: Umbilical cord care • Neonates • Newborns • Mothers • Dressing • Infections