A cross sectional survey of newborn care practices in rural Sindh, Pakistan: implications for research and policy.
BACKGROUND
Of annual four million neonatal deaths, majority in the developing world, approximately three-quarters die within the first week of life. Pakistan has one of the highest newborn mortality rates.


METHODS
We conducted a cross sectional study to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of women of reproductive age in rural Pakistan.


RESULTS
Of 1490 mothers interviewed, prevalence of newborn care practices ranged between 32% (early bathing of newborn) and 69% (use of traditional cord applications). Uptake of antenatal care services was identified as a strong predictor of good newborn care after controlling for skilled birth attendance, socio-economic status, age of mother and sex of infant (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.00-1.57).


CONCLUSIONS
The association of uptake of antenatal care services with good newborn care highlights the necessity to improve coverage of services with the integration of counseling about newborn care in order to reduce the burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Maternal and Newborn Health Programme-Research and Advocacy Fund, Islamabad, Pakistan Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Z A
ZA
Memon
M I
MI
Khan
S
S
Soofi
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S
Muhammad
Z A
ZA
Bhutta
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008880:Midwifery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010154:Pakistan; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Maternal health; Pakistan; antenatal care; developing country; newborn health