Tabitha Temko a health worker at the Ministry of Medical Services - Cheptais Sub-District Hospital, Kenya applies the 7.1% chlorhexidine gel to Fridah Masake’s (20 years old) baby. As the healthcare worker applies the 7.1 % chlorhexidne gel, she explains to mother Fridah Masake how the gel should be applied for the reminder of the seven day course. The development of GSK’s 7.1% chlorhexidine gel was led by GSK scientist Dr Pauline Williams. Save the Children's Dr Angela Muriuki led the implementation of a managed access programme in Bungoma Country in Kenya to enable expecting new mothers and community health workers early access to 7.1% chlorhexidine gel in a controlled setting ahead of the formal review by regulators.
Background
The umbilical cord is a major route of infection among newborns. In Ghana, infections among neonates accounts for majority of under-five deaths. This study sought to investigate what mothers apply to the umbilical cord of their newborns and what motivates them to put such applications on the cord.
Methods
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of neonatal cord care practices among mothers and caregivers in the Nkwanta South District of the Volta region of Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used.
Results
Majority of the mothers/caregivers used substances that have not been recommended for umbilical cord dressing (64.3%). Factors such as level of education [χ2=8.2, p=0.02], place of delivery [χ2 = 40.1, p<0.001], relationship with whoever has made a recommendation for a particular dressing to be used [χ2=95.2, p<0.001] and number of days it takes the umbilical cord to fall off [χ2=6.2, p=0.05] were found to influence the type of dressing used on the umbilical cord.
Conclusion and Global Health Implications
In order to reduce the number of neonates who die due to avoidable cord-related infections, the type of substances used on the umbilical cord should be approved substances. Health education particularly on neonatal cord care targeting community members and health care providers at the lower levels of the healthcare delivery system should be intensified.