Publications

Proper care of the umbilical cord is very necessary in order to avoid potentially fatal infections in newborns, suchas neonatal sepsis. These infections play a major role in the 2.9 million newborn fatalities that occur each yearworldwide; rates are greater in underdeveloped nations where home deliveries and improper cord care are morecommon. Over 30% of the 3.3 million newborn fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa each year are due to infections,some of which are the result of inadequate cord care. The danger of infection is increased by harmful customs suchas putting materials to the umbilical stump, such as sand, cow dung, or herbs. Pathogens such as Clostridium tetanimay infect the cord region via the birth canal, the delivery environment, and the hands of birth attendants. Certainmicroorganisms are commensal in nature, while others have the ability to enter the circulation and cause newbornsepsis. Infections account for over one-third of newborn mortality worldwide; in places like Uganda where homebirth rates are high, this percentage is higher. The use of different medicines by more than half of Ugandan womento promote cord stump repair raises the risk of infection. In the crucial first 24 hours after giving birth, themajority also neglect to wash their infants. In this setting, it is critical to evaluate the knowledge and actions ofmothers about appropriate dry cord care. In order to detect gaps and guide educational interventions to lowernewborn morbidity and death from avoidable cord infections. This study carried out at Kampala InternationalUniversity Teaching Hospital intends to evaluate the extent of knowledge and practices and the effect on umbilicalcord care among mothers.