ABSTRACT

Background: Proper cord care methods in neonates have been known to reduce infections, sepsis, and death. This study intends to document the frequency of cord care methods.

Methods: A questionnaire-based study was done in 6 months in a tertiary care hospital with a level 3 nursery and NICU (Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore). We interviewed mothers and female companions of neonates in wards and outpatient clinics. Answers were added to SPSS in socio-demographic categories and cord care methods.

Result: A total of 778 females were interviewed. The mean age is 28 + 8.1 years, mostly educated (90%) and resided in urban areas (83%). 39.4% of the participants had personal experience of newborn care. Most were housewives (74.4%).

      36.8% would not apply anything to the cord, but the other majority would apply some agent to the newborn cord, methylated spirit being the favourite (48.5%), remaining being mostly antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. Chlorhexidine was used only by one participant.

      Doctors and nurses had counselled 70% of the participants, but 10% listened to the advice of relatives and grandmothers. 18.5% declined any knowledge of safe practices.

Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the need to educate our hospital staff (doctors, nurses and midwives) as well as family members of neonates with standardised cord care methods.