Determinants of Newborn Care Practices among Mothers in Bharatpur, Nepal

Background: Each year, approximately 130 million infants are born, and tragically, 4 million of these newborns do not survive beyond their first month. Data from hospitals indicate that the primary contributors to neonatal mortality in Nepal include infections, birth asphyxia, preterm birth, and hypothermia. To effectively tackle the issue of neonatal deaths in Nepal, it is crucial to acknowledge that 81 % of births occur at home and poorer newborn care practices. 

Aim & Objective: To find out the relation between the newborn care practices and educational status of the mother, social taboos, four Antenatal care visits from trained health personnel, and parity.

Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional, non-interventional, and descriptive study conducted among 96 mothers with children less than six months child. 

Methods and Materials: Data were collected using structured interviews and analyzed and interpreted qualitatively and descriptively. 

Statistical Analysis used: Descriptive statistics method was used to analyze data. 

Results: Most of the respondents (83.33%) received antenatal care. Most of the respondents (92%) were literate. Literate mothers have better newborn care practices. 70% still followed the untouchable system during their last postpartum period. 99% of them allowed the touchable system according to their culture. There is a relationship between touchable systems and newborn care practices. Most of the respondents (64%) were of second parity. The study showed that the lower the parity, the better the newborn care practices. It is poorer practice than the national standard as per the national neonatal health strategy 2004, Nepal. 

Conclusion: Newborn care practice is significantly associated with the education of mother, 4 ANC visits, social taboos, numbers of children. 

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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The datasets used in this study are openly available at [repository link] and the source code is available on GitHub at [GitHub link].

This work did not receive any external funding.