Local perceptions, cultural beliefs and practices that shape umbilical cord care: a qualitative study in Southern Province, Zambia

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 11; p. e79191
• Main Authors: Herlihy, Julie M, Shaikh, Affan, Mazimba, Arthur, Gagne, Natalie, Grogan, Caroline, Mpamba, Chipo, Sooli, Bernadine, Simamvwa, Grace, Mabeta, Catherine, Shankoti, Peggy, Messersmith, Lisa, Semrau, Katherine, Hamer, Davidson H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 07.11.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - administration & dosage; Attitude to Health; Blood coagulation; Breast feeding; Breast milk; Cattle manure; Charcoal; Childbirth & labor; Chlorhexidine; Chlorhexidine - administration & dosage; Cooking; Cooking oils; Cow's milk; Culture; Desiccants; Drying; Dung; Evidence-based medicine; Female; Health facilities; Home births; Humans; Illnesses; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Lubrication; Medical research; Middle Aged; Mortality; National libraries; Neonates; Newborn babies; Newborn infants; Pediatrics; Powder; Public health; Qualitative research; Quality of Health Care; Razor blades; Sepsis; Studies; Tetanus; Umbilical Cord; Umbilical cords; Womens health; Zambia; Zambia; Bangladesh; United States > US; Massachusetts; Nepal; India

Global policy regarding optimal umbilical cord care to prevent neonatal illness is an active discussion among researchers and policy makers. In preparation for a large cluster-randomized control trial to measure the impact of 4% chlorhexidine as an umbilical wash versus dry cord care on neonatal mor...