Home based new born care practices among tribal population in Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu, India

A BSTRACT Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity leading to 2.7 million neonatal deaths annually worldwide. Around 26.14% of women in Tamil Nadu are illiterates, lacking personal, financial independence and empowerment that hinders the good home-based care of the newborn. Tribal population have their own cultural practices lacking scientific evidence like harmful practices. Hence this study was conducted to assess the home-based newborn care practices among tribal population. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 tribal mothers with children age < two months in Nilakottai, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu using multistage random sampling and validated semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and Chi square test ( P < 0.05 was statistically significant). Results: The safe new born care practice in the study was about 21.3% (CI: 21.3 ± 3.78). Age ranged from 20 to 32 years. About 35.8% of mothers had completed high school, joint families were 65.3%. Regarding harmful practices, 47.1% had applied kajal dye to eyes, 18.7% blew air in nose and 26.4% instilled oil in ears of newborn. Low level of awareness was observed on warmth, skin, umbilical care. Prelacteal feeding was 61%. Role of health personnel was observed for creating awareness among those who had practiced safe newborn care. Conclusion: Health education and behavior change communication is the need which can improve the new born care practices among mothers and family members among the tribal population.