Essential Newborn Care in the Municipality of Kara (North Togo) in 2019

Introduction: Every newborn at birth needs an adequate essential care provided by qualified personnel in order to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practice of essential newborn care (ENC) in two tertiary hospitals in the City of Kara (North Togo). Methodology: It was a prospective and descriptive study about ENC, carried out from March 1st to May 30th of 2019. The study was focused on newborns after their immediate vaginal delivery, their mothers and the hospital personnel’s who provided care for them at the hospitals (CHU and CHR) of Kara. Results: The results indicate that 4.0% of skin-to-skin contact was performed; 100% of immediate drying at birth was carried out; 100% of the umbilical cord section was well done; 100% of vitamin K1 well administered; 100% of eye care was given, 49% of early breastfeeding was performed, 85% of the first bath was done 6 hours after childbirth and 15% between 7 and 24 hours of the newborns. Conclusion: Every hospital center has its own way of practicing ENC in the City (Kara). However, in order to decrease newborn mortality, the ENC practices need to be improved in every hospital center in the city.