Newborn care practices in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality is high in Bangladesh. Most of the neonatal deaths are preventable through simple and cost-effective essential newborn care interventions. Studies to document the determinants of unhealthy newborn care practices are scarce. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of neonatal care practices and their determinants in rural Bangladesh. Methodology: This study is based on baseline data of a community-based intervention to assess impact of limited postnatal care services on maternal and neonatal health-seeking behavior. Data from 510 women, who had a live birth at home 1 year prior to survey, of six randomly selected unions of an Upazila (subdistrict) were analyzed. Results: Majority of the respondents were at an age group of 20–34 years. Only 6% had delivery by skilled providers. Immediate drying and wrapping, and giving colostrums to newborns were almost universal. Unhealthy practices, like unclean cord care (42%), delayed initiation of breastfeeding (60%), use of prelacteals (36%), and early bathing (71%) were very common. Muslims were more likely to give early bath (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–3.59; P =0.018) and delay in initiating breastfeeding (adjusted OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.18–1.78; P <0.001) to newborns. Practice of giving prelacteals was associated with teenage mothers (adjusted OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.19–4.28; P =0.013) and women’s lack of education (adjusted OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.46–4.77; P =0.001). Conclusion: Unhealthy neonatal care practices are widespread in rural Bangladesh. Continued education to the community and home delivery attendants on essential newborn care could benefit newborn survival in Bangladesh. Keywords: newborn care, cord care, bathing, breastfeeding, prelacteals, determinants, Bangladesh