Neonatal and Pediatric Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Child rearing practices and family environment determine the health of the newborn. Harmful newborn care practices are the risk factors for LONS. Objective of study was to identify newborn practices related to breast feeding, cord care, hygiene of newborn and thermal care of admitted neonates with diagnosis LONS in pediatric unit of BPKIHS. Materials & Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out from 21st December to 17th January using consecutive sampling. Semi structured, pretested questionnaire was used to interview 40 mothers. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: More than half (60%) of the mother had not practiced breastfeeding within one hour of delivery. Among neonates, 65% were given colostrum, 25% were given pre lacteal feed, and 45% were given milk other than breast milk. Majority (72.5%) of mother used mustard oil to care umbilical cord. Mustard oil was used by 40% of the mother to care cord stump. More than half, (62.5%) of the mother used to wash hand before touching the baby. Kajal was applied for 52.5% of the newborn, 95% newborns were massaged in house by mustard oil. Majority (75%) of the mother had practiced of burning charcoal to keep newborn warm. None of the socio-demographic variables (age, sex, education, income, parity of mother, type of family) were associated with breast feeding, cord care, newborn hygiene and thermal care of newborn. But, the study revealed association between newborn care and mother education, per capita income of family and family type (p=0.012, p=0.012, p=0.039), respectively. Conclusion: In this study among the components of newborn care practices cord care was found to be poor.

Biography

Bima Thapa is a Pediatrician, currently working in B and C Teaching Hospital, Birtamode Jhapa, Nepal.
Email:beema_232@hotmail.com