Publication: Determinants of cord care practices among caregivers of babies 0-6 weeks attending clinic at Mombasa county referral hospital, Kenya.
Total Views 5
total viewsTotal Downloads 36
total downloadsDate
2023-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Kenya University
Cite this Item
Abstract
The majority of newborn fatalities, according to the Dessalegn, N., et al 2022 the WHO
estimated 4 million annual deaths for neonates, taking place in underdeveloped nations.
Within 1 week to 6 weeks post-delivery care of the umbilical cord stamp is crucial and
should be kept clean and dry for proper healing. The aim of the study was to assess
cord care practices among care givers of babies aged 0-6weeks attending maternal child
health/family planning clinic services at the Mombasa County referral hospital. The
study aimed at establishing if social demographic, social cultural and facility related
factors were significantly affecting cord care among care givers of babies 0-6 weeks.
The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Systematic random
sampling was employed to choose respondents with every eighth client consenting to
the study being chosen. A total of 376 respondents were selected for the study. Both
qualitative and quantitative data was used. Quantitative data was collected using a
structured interviewer guided questionnaire. All ethical considerations were sought
prior to data collection. Qualitative data was analyzed based on key themes of the study
while quantitative data was analyzed using statistical package for social studies (SPSS)
version 21. The results were presented using pie-charts, graphs and frequency tables.
Inferential statistics were done using Chi square at 95% confidence interval and p≤0.05
considered significant to show variable associations. The results revealed 56.3% of
respondents practiced appropriate cord care. The main method of cord was keeping it
dry. The most common method of inappropriately managing the cord was application
of breast milk. Majority of the babies cord stamps took 3-4 weeks before healing.
Majority of socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with cord care
practices with a p value < 0.05. Socio-cultural factors such as cord care influencer
(p=0.001), mother staying away from the child’s father (p=0.011), babies kept away
from visitors till healing (p=0.002) and cord causing tension and anxiety (p=0.001)
were significantly associated with cord care practices. Majority of health system factors
such as ANC attendance (p=0.013), taught on cord care practice (p=0.001), items for
cord care (p=0.004) and provision of adequate information (p=0.018) were significantly
associated with cord care practices. The study concludes that the level of practicing
appropriate cord care was above average. The socio-demographic, socio-cultural and
facility related factors had impacted on the cord care practiced among caregivers in
Mombasa County Referral Hospital. The findings of the study would be used to
formulate policies to act as a guide for cord care practice in reducing neonatal sepsis
related to cord infection.
Description
Keywords
fatalities, babies cord, cord infection, socio-demographic