Umbilical cord care practices among postpartum mothers attending family health clinic in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Introduction: Newborn survival is a prominent goal on the health agenda and an important area of focus for programs seeking to ensure child survival. This study was conducted to assess umbilical cord care practices among postpartum mothers attending family health clinics in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH). For this study, a descriptive survey design was used with the aid of a questionnaire for data collection. Data was collected from 154 mothers attending family health clinic in UDUTH. The convenience sampling technique was used with consideration to the population size. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS Version 26. Results from the analysis showed that the majority of the respondents (66.0%) understood umbilical cord care as tying, cutting and cleaning with a methylated spirit only. The less than half of respondents (44.7%) used methylated spirit to clean the umbilical cord. Other respondents used chlorhexidine (28.7%), saliva (10.7%) and herbal solution (3.3%). It was deduced that factors like the literacy level of the mother(X=3.0), expensive hospital material(X=4.2), cultural beliefs(X=3.7) and the influence of an elderly role figure(X=3.0) influenced the effectiveness of the practice. In conclusion, the findings of this study revealed that good knowledge will help to facilitate positive health habits and help to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Moreover, good practice will reduce the risk of neonates developing umbilical infections such as neonatal tetanus, and omphalitis. It was recommended that mothers should be educated on standard umbilical cord care practice and the effects of harmful cord care practices via public enlightenment programs, using mass media, and health talks in the healthcare facilities targeting not only women of reproductive age but also secondary audiences like mothers, mothers-in-law, nurses and attendants at health facilities.