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Table 2 Newborn care practice of postnatal mothers at Dessie referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, 2018

From: Newborn care practices and its determinants among postnatal mothers in Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Variables

Category

Frequency

Percent (%)

Where was the baby placed before the placenta was delivered?

On the mother’s abdomen

286

68.4

On clean surface

128

30.6

Other

4

1.0

What instrument was used to cut the cord after delivery?

New or boiled blade

196

46.9

Old and un boiled blade

6

1.4

Don’t know

214

51.2

Othera

2

0.5

What did you do to the umbilical stump after the cord is cut? (n = 418)

Cover with cloth

234

56.0

Uncover, keep dry and clean

110

26.3

I do not know

74

17.7

Did anybody apply anything on the stump after the baby’s cord was cut?

Yes

10

2.4

No

408

97.6

If yes, what was applied? (n = 10)

Butter

2

20.0

Vaseline

8

80.0

What did you do to keep your baby warm? (n = 418)

Skin to skin contact

75

18.0

Wrapped the baby in a cloth immediately

338

80.8

Both

5

1.2

What was the first feed you gave to the baby immediately after delivery?

Breast milk

406

97.1

Cow milk

4

1.0

Formula feed

2

0.5

Otherb

6

1.4

When did you start breastfeeding after delivery?)

Immediately

141

33.7

30 min to 1 h

210

50.3

Other

67

16.0

Do you clean your breast and hands before breastfeeding the baby? (n = 418)

Yes

364

87.1

No

54

12.9

How often did you breastfeed your baby in a day?

8–12 times

257

61.5

On-demand

158

37.8

Don’t breastfeed

3

0.7

When did you start bathing your baby after birth?

Immediately after birth

9

2.1

After 6 h of birth

24

5.8

After 1 day of birth

317

75.8

Otherc

68

16.3

Was your baby immunized at birth?

Yes

97

23.2

No

321

76.8

Overall newborn care practice

Good

196

46.9

Poor

222

53.1

  1. aScissors and locally available materials
  2. bWater, butter
  3. cAfter 5 days, 7 days and did not remember