Survey of umbilical cord care practices and separation time in healthy new-born in Maiduguri, Nigeria

This study aimed at assessing the umbilical cord care practices and separation time in healthy new-born in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 365 women attending child welfare clinic were selected through systematic random sampling technique from three health care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis. A self-developed and validated questionnaire was used to collect information from the women on common cord care practices and knowledge of standard umbilical cord care practices. The questionnaire was pretested in State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State and the correlation coefficient of 0.87 determined. The result of the study revealed that common cord care practices among women in Maiduguri include the use of methylated spirit, hot compress, charcoal, Vaseline and table salt. Others were mixture of methylated spirit with traditional concoctions, toothpaste and cow dung were also found to be commonly used by the mothers. The mean umbilical cord separation time of 3.5 days (± 0.397) was observed with the unorthodox treatment of the cord. Although there was a good knowledge among the respondents with regards to standard umbilical cord care practice, there was however no commensurate practice. Therefore, there is an urgent need for cultural re-orientation most especially of women with regard and unhygienic traditional cord care practices on the new born.