Abstract
Background: Umbilical cord care remains a serious health concern in the rural part of Ghana. The study sought to examine the knowledge and practices concerning umbilical cord care among first-time mothers residing in the Northern regions of Ghana.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed using quantitative research approach. The study was conducted among primiparous mothers of neonates seeking postnatal services in rural Ghana. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Frequency, percentages, and bar charts were used to present the data. A chi-square test was carried out to examine the association between demographic variables and knowledge of umbilical cord care.
Results: Most primiparous mothers displayed a commendable level of knowledge regarding cord care, with 95% exhibiting familiarity with essential practices. Notably, 30.7% acknowledged using hot water with salt or holy water from a pastor/mallam for cleansing their baby's umbilical cord/stump, while 39.4% disagreed with this practice. Statistical Analysis (ꭕ2(12.56), p-value <0.001) highlighted a significant association between education and mothers' comprehension of cord care. Moreover, correlations were observed between mothers' knowledge of cord care and factors such as occupation, insurance status, place of residence, place of delivery, and education received regarding cord care.
Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed a disconnect between knowledge and practice regarding newborn umbilical cord care. While it is evident that many individuals are well-informed about proper umbilical cord care, their actions do not align with this knowledge. Additionally, a portion of the population continues to use unapproved substances such as shea butter and toothpaste due to factors like the unavailability of recommended products (such as chlorhexidine gel or methylated spirit), religious considerations, and cultural beliefs.