Table 2 Acceptability and barriers to evidence based newborn care practices as stated in Focus Group discussions in Busoga, Eastern Uganda.
Recommended Newborn practices | Perceived acceptability | Barriers to the practice | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
Cutting the cord with a clean instrument | +++++ | - Difficult in home deliveries - Poor birth preparedness | - Usually a new razorblade is used |
Maintenance of warmth | +++++ | - Lack of money for baby clothes | - Some mothers improvise with their own used clothes |
Delayed bathing | + | - Belief that babies are born "dirty" and with blood - Belief that babies who are not bathed "smell" bad - Mothers prefer that visitors find babies clean - Health care workers promote early bathing - Belief that early bathing prevents infections | - Babies bathed on day of delivery and thereafter an average of three times a day - Wiping the baby with a wet cloth could be an alternative |
Maintenance of cleanliness | +++++ | - Lack of money - Practice of hand washing not common | - Some wash but without soap |
Exclusive breast feeding | +++++ | - Colostrum not perceived to be good for the baby - Perceived lack of milk in the breast at birth | - Babies given water and/or glucose at birth |
Skilled care seeking for danger signs | +++ | - Lack of money - Married women often have to seek permission from husbands on choice of care - Lack of access to well equipped facilities - Health workers lack skills in managing sick newborns | - Child minders report danger signs to mothers - Both mothers and fathers appreciate importance of seeking immediate care from skilled providers |
Practicing clean cord care | ++ | - Belief that substances applied to cord help it heal fast - Cultural practice of seclusion till cord falls off - Health workers encourage do not encourage dry care | - Mothers are under pressure for cord to heal so that they can return to routine chores - Health workers encourage application of salty water and spirit |
Postnatal check up for newborns at health unit in the first week | +++++ | - Practice not promoted by health system - Lack of money for transport - Lack of transport facilities | - Health workers think this will add to their already big work load |
Postnatal check up for newborns at home by a volunteer in the first week | +++++ | - Identifying new deliveries difficult - Motivating volunteers | - Community expects drugs at home |