ASSESSMENT OF UMBILICAL CORD CARE GIVEN BY TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN OGHARA ETHIOPE WEST LGA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
ABSTRACT
Proper care of the umbilical cord is very important to avoid sepsis in the life of the neonates. This study was on Assessment of Umbilical Cord Care given by Traditional Birth Attendants in OgharaEthiope West LGA. 92 open and closed ended structured questionnaires were administered and 82 were retrieved successfully which were analyzed to all the TBAs in Oghara community. The findings revealed that 57 (69.51%) of the respondents do not know about cord care while 25 (30.49%) knows of cord care. This Shows that majority of the TBA are not informed on appropriate care of the umbilical area of a new born.. The hypothetical statements was tested using chi-square. A theoretical value of 3.3 which was found higher than the computed value which showed that there is significant relationship between the knowledge of TBAs on cord and their practice on cord care. The data analyzed were compared with the empirical works for similarities and dissimilarities; Reasons for Identified dissimilarities were discussed. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should empower the TBAs by providing funds to support them to organize seminars and workshops on relevant issues that concern their maternal and child health care.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Umbilical cord is the lifeline of the fetus and of the neonate in the first few minutes immediately after birth. Care of the cord and stump during neonatal period varies according to the social, cultural, economic and geographical factors. Measures take to ensure sterility in cutting and tying the umbilical cord may prevent cord infection (Mullay, 2005). Clean umbilical cord care is accomplished by the maintenance of aseptic technique so that the umbilical cord is uncontaminated by pathogens.At birth, hands should be washed with clean water and soap before tying and cutting the cord. The newborn should be laid on a clean surface and the cord should be cut with a sterile instrument. In the postnatal period, routine cord care includes washing hands with clean water and soap before and after care and keeping the cord dry and exposed to air or loosely covered with clean clothes. The napkin should be folded below the umbilicus. Touching the cord, applying unclean substances to it and covering it with bandages should be avoided. Every year globally, an estimated 4 million infants die and approximately two-third of all these deaths occur in the neonatal period (NNHS, 2004). A substantial proportion of neonatal deaths from infection are due to cord infections (WHO, 2004).
