A study to assess prevalence of common traditional practices for newborn care among mothers in selected rural area of Anand district Gujarat.

Ms. Ravina R. Khristi; Mr; Vipin Vageriya

Volume : X, Issue : VII, July - 2020

A study to assess prevalence of common traditional practices for newborn care among mothers in selected rural area of Anand district Gujarat.

Ms. Ravina R. Khristi, Mr, Vipin Vageriya

Abstract :

Introduction: There are many factors like knowledge, values, belief, attitude of parents towards child, societal factors, their culture, living places, region, customs and cultural features affect practices used for the children and the babies. Methodology: A Descriptive survey study was conducted to assess the prevalence of common traditional practices for newborn care among mothers. A sample of 300 mothers of child aged between 0–28 days, who were staying in selected rural area of Anand District were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured questionnaire for selected common tradition practices. The data was analyzed by using Descriptive and Inferential statistics such as Frequency, Percentage distribution, and Chi square test. Result: Study result shows that Majority of the subjects were 87(29.0%) in age group of 21 to 25 years, 225(75.0%) were Hindu, 102(34.0%) of mothers were secondary & higher secondary educated, 171(57.0%) were living in a joint family, 176(58.7%) mothers were employed, Majority 105(35.0%) of mother’s duration of marriage was in a more than 6 years, Majority 117(39.0%) of mothers have one child, and majority 214(71.3%) mothers have government clinic as a nearest health care service. Out of fourteen traditional practices selected for the study, 132(44%) of mothers were providing colostrum to their baby, 143(47.67%) were providing prelacteal feeds to their babies, 234(78.00%) of mothers were doing something to prevent evil eye, 165(55.00%) of mothers were exposing their baby to the traditional herbs or fumes, 145(48.33%) were applying substance to the cord, 219(73.00%) of mothers were applying kajal on their baby’s eye, 174(58.00%) of mothers was massaging their baby, 148(49.33%) of mothers were putting oil on baby’s ear or nostrils, 154(51.33%) of mothers have rubbed baby’s skin vigorously, Majority 142(47.33%) of mothers were applying substance on baby’s head; 147(49.00%) stated they are using substance for baby bath, 209(69.67%) of mothers were trying any thread or chain on baby’s body part, 124(41.33%) were squeezing baby’s east, and 198(66.00%) of mothers were delaying bath of baby after birth. Chi–square test was performed to determine the association between the traditional practices of newborn care with selected socio – demographic variables. χ2 calculated value corresponding to the Religion, Educational status and Nearest health care services were found greater than χ2 tabulated value and found significant. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is significant association between selected traditional practices with selected socio–demographic variables. Study result concluded that there are various traditional practices prevalent for care of the child. Hence, there is a need to implement health education, awareness campaign, community awareness program to prevent traditional practices for child care.