Determinants of Cord Care Practices among Mothers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria

Introduction: Unhygienic cord-care practices are major public health concern because of the associated gross neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. Various factors have been linked to these practices. This study aims to identify the determinants of cord care practices among mothers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire based study involving women attending antenatal clinics and those who brought their babies to the immunization clinics of Federal Teaching Hospital, Mile Four Hospital and Maternal/Child Primary Health Care Center, all in Abakaliki. Results: Two hundred and seventy three mothers participated in the study. The majority of the participants aged 26 to 35 years (60.07%), had tertiary education (49.45%) and were business women (38.46%). Mothers who had secondary and tertiary education basically applied methylated spirit (p-value 0.0014) and chlorhexidine (p-value 0.0289) as a form cord care while those who had primary or no formal education cared for cord using hot water, Vaseline, close up tooth paste and local herbs. The mothers educational status, occupation and parity also determined the care given the umbilical cord after birth. Conclusion: Cord care practices are determined and influenced by several factors in Ebonyi State. Health education and awareness campaigns should be upheld and targeted among women of child bearing age found in women meetings, local markets and primary health care delivery centers especially in the rural setting.