Newborn care practices in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality is high in Bangladesh. Most of the neonatal deaths are preventable through simple and cost-effective essential newborn care interventions. Studies to document the determinants of unhealthy newborn care practices are scarce. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of neonatal care practices and their determinants in rural Bangladesh. Methodology: This study is based on baseline data of a community-based intervention to assess impact of limited postnatal care services on maternal and neonatal health-seeking behavior. Data from 510 women, who had a live birth at home 1 year prior to survey, of six randomly selected unions of an Upazila (subdistrict) were analyzed. Results: Majority of the respondents were at an age group of 20-34 years. Only 6% had delivery by skilled providers. Immediate drying and wrapping, and giving colostrums to newborns were almost universal. Unhealthy practices, like unclean cord care (42%), delayed initiation of breastfeeding (60%), use of prelacteals (36%), and early bathing (71%) were very common. Muslims were more likely to give early bath (adjusted odds ratio {[}OR]: 2.01; 95% confidence interval {[}CI]: 1.13-3.59; P= 0.018) and delay in initiating breastfeeding (adjusted OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.18-1.78; P < 0.001) to newborns. Practice of giving prelacteals was associated with teenage mothers (adjusted OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.19-4.28; P= 0.013) and women's lack of education (adjusted OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.46-4.77; P= 0.001). Conclusion: Unhealthy neonatal care practices are widespread in rural Bangladesh. Continued education to the community and home delivery attendants on essential newborn care could benefit newborn survival in Bangladesh.