Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria
Abstract Introduction Suboptimal maternal practices in home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation for newborns pose significant public health concerns, with far-reaching implications for neonatal health. Understanding the determinants influencing these maternal practices is crucial for deve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07705-x |
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| author | Chika Chioma Harriet Odira Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje Edith Anulika Udeogalanya Oluwaseyi Isaiah Olabisi Deborah Tolulope Esan |
| author_facet | Chika Chioma Harriet Odira Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje Edith Anulika Udeogalanya Oluwaseyi Isaiah Olabisi Deborah Tolulope Esan |
| author_sort | Chika Chioma Harriet Odira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Suboptimal maternal practices in home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation for newborns pose significant public health concerns, with far-reaching implications for neonatal health. Understanding the determinants influencing these maternal practices is crucial for developing effective interventions. Aim This study aimed to identify predictors of mothers' home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a southeastern state in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 365 postpartum mothers randomly selected from sampled health facilities in Ihiala Local Government Area was done. Consenting mothers were followed up to their homes. A self-structured, validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire with a reliability score of 0.87 was used for data collection. Appropriate umbilical cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices of mothers were evaluated by rating their responses: 1 for YES and 0 for NO. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Data were summarized in tables and charts. Associations between variables were tested using multivariable logistic regression. Results The majority (83.3%) of mothers practiced appropriate thermoregulation for their newborns, while only 23.8% and 41.3% practiced exclusive breastfeeding and proper cord care, respectively. The most common reasons given for the poor practice of essential newborn care (ENBC) were ignorance and the influence of family and friends. Predictors of good ENBC practices among the variables tested included place of delivery and educational status of mothers. Place of delivery significantly influenced umbilical cord care, with mothers who delivered in primary health centers showing the lowest odds of practicing proper cord care (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.89; p = 0.018). Similarly, educational status significantly influenced mothers' thermoregulation practices, with mothers who had only primary education exhibiting the least odd to practicing good thermoregulation (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09–0.97; p = 0.044). Conclusion The study noted sub-optimal ENBC among postnatal mothers specifically: umbilical cord care, practice of exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. The findings underscore the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions in Anambra State, Nigeria, particularly focusing on umbilical cord management and breastfeeding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28cb8a063778433db43c63e58d38c0e5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj-art-28cb8a063778433db43c63e58d38c0e52025-08-20T03:08:43ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-05-0125111310.1186/s12884-025-07705-xPredictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, NigeriaChika Chioma Harriet Odira0Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje1Edith Anulika Udeogalanya2Oluwaseyi Isaiah Olabisi3Deborah Tolulope Esan4Department of Nursing Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe UniversityDepartment of Nursing Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityDepartment of Nursing Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe UniversityFaculty of Nursing Science, Bowen UniversityFaculty of Nursing Science, Bowen UniversityAbstract Introduction Suboptimal maternal practices in home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation for newborns pose significant public health concerns, with far-reaching implications for neonatal health. Understanding the determinants influencing these maternal practices is crucial for developing effective interventions. Aim This study aimed to identify predictors of mothers' home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a southeastern state in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 365 postpartum mothers randomly selected from sampled health facilities in Ihiala Local Government Area was done. Consenting mothers were followed up to their homes. A self-structured, validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire with a reliability score of 0.87 was used for data collection. Appropriate umbilical cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices of mothers were evaluated by rating their responses: 1 for YES and 0 for NO. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Data were summarized in tables and charts. Associations between variables were tested using multivariable logistic regression. Results The majority (83.3%) of mothers practiced appropriate thermoregulation for their newborns, while only 23.8% and 41.3% practiced exclusive breastfeeding and proper cord care, respectively. The most common reasons given for the poor practice of essential newborn care (ENBC) were ignorance and the influence of family and friends. Predictors of good ENBC practices among the variables tested included place of delivery and educational status of mothers. Place of delivery significantly influenced umbilical cord care, with mothers who delivered in primary health centers showing the lowest odds of practicing proper cord care (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.89; p = 0.018). Similarly, educational status significantly influenced mothers' thermoregulation practices, with mothers who had only primary education exhibiting the least odd to practicing good thermoregulation (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09–0.97; p = 0.044). Conclusion The study noted sub-optimal ENBC among postnatal mothers specifically: umbilical cord care, practice of exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. The findings underscore the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions in Anambra State, Nigeria, particularly focusing on umbilical cord management and breastfeeding.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07705-xNewborn care practicesPredictors of mothers’ newborn careCord careExclusive breastfeedingThermoregulation |
| spellingShingle | Chika Chioma Harriet Odira Blessing Tochukwu Onyeje Edith Anulika Udeogalanya Oluwaseyi Isaiah Olabisi Deborah Tolulope Esan Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Newborn care practices Predictors of mothers’ newborn care Cord care Exclusive breastfeeding Thermoregulation |
| title | Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| title_full | Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| title_short | Predictors of mothers’ home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria |
| title_sort | predictors of mothers home cord care breastfeeding and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a south eastern state nigeria |
| topic | Newborn care practices Predictors of mothers’ newborn care Cord care Exclusive breastfeeding Thermoregulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07705-x |
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