CULTURAL PRACTICES AND BELIEFS REGARDING CARE OF THE NEWBORN.

Abstract

Introduction : In Pakistan Newborn’s mortality rate is about 42 deaths per 1,000 live births. According to WHO, 45% of under-five deaths occurred during the 1st month of life. Several factors contribute to the mortality and one of the reasons is following of harmful practices such as inadequate cord care, discarding colostrum and feeding other foods which are based on cultural practices. Objective: To highlight the major cultural practices and beliefs regarding care of the newborn. Methodology: The descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The data was collected by convenient sampling having sample size of 60. A semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended question were used to elicit participants’ perspectives on their practices related to newborn care Data was also analyzed through SPSS. Frequencies and percentages were tabulate as per major themes / categories regarding cultural practices of newborn care. Results: In our study 43.3% of the babies were age of the one month belonging to 90% Muslim families.100% study subjects do body massage before bathing. 50% of mothers do baby massage with mustard oil. 73.3% study subjects were giving the Prelacteal feeding in 56.7% were feed with honey.80% mothers were discarding the colostrum (first feed). 70% mothers keep some iron piece, knife under bedsheet of the newborn to be safe from ghosts, jinn (Saaya). Conclusion: This study showed that many cultural practices are harmless but some are riskier and needs an aggressive intervention to educate the families / mothers.