STUDY OF TRADITIONAL BELIEFS IN NEWBORN AND INFANT CARE- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Culture is dened as a shared system of beliefs, values and behavioral expectations that provide social structure for daily living. Not all customs and beliefs are harmful. Some of them have positive values while others may be of no role or harmful for neonate's health in various forms like physical, psychological, social development. The objective of the study was to explore the traditional beliefs and practices in new born care and to study the correlation between traditional beliefs practiced and demographic parameters. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A descriptive research design was adopted for this study. Purposive sampling method was used to select 1000 samples from RL Jalappa hospital. Demographic Performa and structured dichotomous questionnaire was used to collect the data from the subject. RESULTS: The data collected from 1000 samples were analyzed using descriptive statistics. 92% of the mothers have followed oil massage for the baby before bath. 58% of the mothers have provided home remedies for the baby. 55% of the mothers were applying ashes, soot, powder, or dry cow dung, 81 % mothers exposed their babies to the sunlight. 82% of the mothers are applied Kajal on babys face to prevent bad eye. 59% of the mothers are practicing a belief that “empty cradle should not be moved”. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study revealed that there is a strong relationship between the demographic variables and cultural practices and beliefs on newborn care among mothers. Periodical health education regarding dos and donts of newborn care should be conducted in postnatal ward, which will denitely minimize the unhealthy traditional practices.