Abstract

Background: Newborn mortality is one of the world’s most neglected health problems. It is estimated that globally four million newborns die before they reach 1 month of age and another four million are stillborn every year.

Aims & Objectives: (1) To study the maternal care in terms of Antenatal, Intranatal and Postnatal care practices; (2) To assess newborn care practices in rural areas.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study in rural areas of Navsari district, Gujarat, included 243 women who had one child aged 12 to 23 months preceding data collection. Data were analyzed using statistical software Epi Info 6.

Results: All the mothers under study had adequate ANC check-ups. All the mothers had received Iron supplements during ANC but 72.8% of them completed it for 3 months. Majority (99.2%) had institutional delivery. Regarding thermal care practices, half of the women reported that the baby was dried and wrapped within 15 minutes of birth. More than one third (37.8%) of babies were bathed in less than 24 hours of birth. Most of the mothers (93.4%) had put substances on the umbilical cord. About 32% of the infants had received pre-lacteals feeds. The colostrum was fed by 90.9% of mothers. Only 56.4% mothers initiated breast-feeding within 1 hour of birth.

Conclusion: In majority of cases, correct practices regarding newborn care were observed among mothers and this should be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.

Key words: Pre-Lacteal; Thermal Care; Colostrum; Postnatal Care