Knowledge regarding neonatal cord care among postnatal mothers at Entebbe regional referral hospital. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/6awafq83Keywords:
cord care, postnatal mothers, Cord detachment, neonatal sepsis, dirty cordAbstract
Background:
The study aimed to identify the Knowledge regarding neonatal cord care among postnatal mothers at Entebbe regional referral hospital.
Methodology:
A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study assessed neonatal cord care among postnatal mothers at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital. Conducted at the postnatal clinic, the study involved consenting mothers aged 18 years and above. A sample of 44 participants was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire that covered respondents’ demographics, attitudes, and practices. Data were cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Quality assurance included pretesting, and ethical approval, informed consent, confidentiality, and secure data management were ensured to improve the validity and reliability of findings and overall outcomes.
Results:
Employment status indicated 16 (36.4%) were employed, 15 (34.1%) housewives, and 13 (29.5%) self-employed. Monthly income was mainly 300,000-500,000 UGX among 26 (59.1%), with 14 (31.8%) earning below 500,000 and 4 (9.1%) above. Knowledge findings showed health workers as the main information source, 36 (81.8%). Clean boiled water was identified by 26 (59.1%) as the recommended cleaning method, while 14 (31.8%) mentioned herbs. Cord care was said to prevent infection by 31 (70.5%). Initiation immediately after birth was reported by 29 (65.9%). Cord detachment took 1-3 weeks for 18 (40.9%). A cord was preferred by 34.
Conclusion:
Postnatal mothers demonstrated generally good knowledge of neonatal cord care.
Recommendation:
The Ministry of Health should design a national training/refresher module for midwives and other health mothers on neonatal cord care.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jenipher Nalweyiso, Jaliah Namutebi, Jane Frank Nalubega, Hasifa Nansereko, Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu, Francisco Ssemuwemba (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
