Newborn Care Practices Regarding Thermal Protection Among Slum Dwellers in Rachna Town, Lahore, Punjab

Abstract

The period after birth is often marked by cultural practices. Some of these hinder health and survival of newborn, like bathing the baby immediately after birth. Understanding their beliefs and practices is an important part of ensuring effective timely care. This paper describes newborn care practices in urban slum "Rachna Town".

Method:  A quantitative baseline survey was conducted in Rachna Town among women who delivered with in last year
(n = 168) 3 in depth semi structured focal group discussions well also carried out to in depth understand these Practices.

Results:  Majority of women delivered at home (98%). 37.2% women gave bath to baby immediately, 77.8% within 6 hours, while 18.3% within 7 - 24 hours and 4.2% after 24 hours. Only 18.8% babies were wrapped immediately before placenta was delivered while 71.5% of them were wrapped after delivery of placenta.

Conclusion:  Poor new born practices are seen in Rachna town, an urban Slum of Lahore. Interventional program should be started in these slums in the heart of Punjab.