Table 2 Newborn Care Practices (N = 418)
From: Prevalence and determinants of essential newborn care practices in the Lawra District of Ghana
New born care practice | Frequency n (%) |
|---|---|
Instrument used to cut the umbilical cord | Â |
 New blade | 48 (11.5) |
 Any available blade | 5 (1.2) |
 Scissors | 357 (85.4) |
 Others | 8 (1.9) |
 Total | 418 (100) |
Material used to clamp tie cord | Â |
 Thread | 18 (4.3) |
 Cord tie | 14 (3.3) |
 Cord clamp | 385 (92.1) |
 Others | 1 (0.2) |
 Total | 418 (100.0) |
What was applied to cord | Â |
 Nothing | 12 (2.9) |
 Shea butter | 252 (60.3) |
 Spirit | 147 (35.2) |
 Shea butter with powder | 3 (0.7) |
 String | 1 (0.2) |
 Others | 3 (0.7) |
 Total | 418 (100.0) |
Time baby was wrapped | Â |
 Immediately (< 5 min) | 215 (51.4) |
 5–10 min | 155 (37.1) |
 30–60 min | 12 (2.9) |
 Unknown | 36 (8.6) |
 Total | 418 (100.0) |
Timing of newborn’s first bath |  |
 Soon after birth | 29 (6.9) |
 1–6 h | 166 (39.7) |
 More than 6 h but less than 24 h | 148 (35.4) |
 More than 24 h | 4 (1.0) |
 Can’t tell | 71 (17.0) |
 Total | 418 (100.0) |
Reasons for applying substances to the cord stump | Â |
 Prevent infection | 109 (26.1) |
 To aid healing | 281 (67.2) |
 Keep it dry | 4 (1.0) |
 Prevent water from entering the stomach | 8 (1.9) |
 Midwifes advised me to used | 8 (1.9) |
 Not Applicable | 8 (1.9) |
 Total | 418 (100.0) |