Factors Influencing Neonatal Practice in a Rural Community in Kano (Northern), Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has the highest number of neonatal and under-five deaths in Africa. Socio-cultural determinants play an important role in disease burden in low-middle income countries. This study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes and neonatal care practice among household caregivers in a rural community in Nigeria, specifically uvulectomy, female genital mutilation (FGM), failure to routinely immunize and unsafe cord care. Further, relationships between demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and neonatal care practices among caregivers were analyzed. The study design was descriptive correlational and cross-sectional. Consented caregivers (N = 298) were enrolled and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics of the study participants and practice of uvulectomy, FGM, immunization and cord care. Statistically significant correlations were found between the practice of uvulectomy, FGM and failure to immunize based on occupation (p = 0.0202, p = 0.0290, p = 0.0071) and educational level (p =< 0.0001, p =< 0.0001, p =< 0.0001), with variations by ethnicity. Intense, preventative health measures and maternal education to eliminate harmful care practices are essential to influence outcomes.

Keywords: Nigeria; cord care; female genital mutilation; immunizations; neonatal; uvulectomy.