Factors Affecting Newborn Care Practices Among Tharu Mothers in Selected Vilalge Development Committees of Chitwan Distract

Although under five and infant mortality has been reducing in Nepal, neonatal mortality remains largely unchanged. New­born care practices in the family and in the community acts as contributing factors which could be improved by adopting simple interventions at community level. The objective of the study was to identify newborn care practices (cord care, breastfeeding, and bathing) and factors affecting it. The study is crosssectional descriptive and analytical conducted at Bachauli and Khairahani VDCs of Chitwan district from July to December 2012. A total 181 Tharu mothers were inter­viewed using semi structured interview schedule. Data processing and analysis was done using SPSS. The study revealed that 99.4% newborns had cord care (cutting, tying and applying nothing or using antiseptic). All newborns were breastfed and given colostrums as first feed but initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery was only 52.5 %. Ninety seven per cent were bathed after 24 hours of delivery. Mothers who knew about newborn care were more likely to practice cord care (OR=0.10, 95% CI=0.02-0.41) in comparison to mothers who do not know about it. Compared to mothers with second­ary and primary education, mothers having higher education were breastfeeding within one hour of delivery (OR= 2.06, 95% CI=1.12-3.81). Delaying in bathing was more practiced in institutional deliveries compared to home deliveries (OR= 12.11, 95% CI=1.65-88.64). Overall newborn care practices were acceptable as per the findings of this study. Awareness programs regarding initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery should be strengthening. Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2013; 3(1): 42-45 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v3i1.8465