Knowledge and Attitude of Nursing Mothers towards Umbilical Cord Care in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State

Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of nursing mothers towards umbilical cord care.

Methods: The study was a descriptive and cross sectional in design. 388 respondents were randomly selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire which was self-administered after a Cronbach-Alpha test was carried out giving a result on 0.713. It was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 to generate descriptive (frequency tables, charts) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s chi-square).

Results: The result gotten from the study showed that the majority of nursing mothers who participated in the study were between ages 20-29 (37.6%) with a mean age of 29.7. majority of the mothers were married 304 (78.4%) with at least one child 181 (46.6%) with infants aged 1 week 301 (77.6%). Most respondents were Efik 202 (52.1%), most being Christians 329 (84.8%). Most mothers received more than 30,000 in income 174 (44.8%). Almost all the respondents 316 (81.4%) heard about umbilical cord care. Majority of the respondents 280 (72.2%) defined umbilical cord care as tying, cutting and cleaning with methylated spirit and cotton bud. However, half 210 (54.1%) of the respondents had not heard of Chlorhexidine digluconate and majority of the respondents 316 (81.4%) did not know it could be used to prevent infection. Virtually all mothers knew that it was important to clean the baby’s cord 386 (99.4%). Mother’s attitude towards care of the umbilical cord was positive with a result of 353 (91%).

Conclusion: The respondents had fair knowledge on cord care, positive attitude and good practice towards umbilical cord care. Poor knowledge can lead to prevalence of cord infection.