Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health (Aug 2015)
Hazardous traditional practices during postnatal care in low resource setting: A cross sectional study
Abstract
Postnatal care has a positive impact on maternal as well as child health. This period is culturally as well as traditionally sensitive; which is clearly reflected in WHO 1998 theme "Pregnancy is special, let’s keep it safe". Objective To determine the existing postnatal care practices in rural community of Vantamuri primary health centre (PHC). Materials and Methods A total of 390 women who delivered in the three sub centres of Vantamuri PHC, Belagavi district between 1st November 2009 to 31st October 2010 were interviewed at home. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the information. Results It was found that 29% women discarded colostrums. Only 26% women initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour and 47% women applied some traditional mixture on the umbilical cord. Conclusion Postnatal care is not free from hazardous traditional practices in the study area.