Download Resource - Healthy Newborn Network

Factors
Conclusions and Summary
Findings
Informational • Only some women consider TT immunization to be important in 7 out of 9 districts and
understand its benefits but most are not sure about the number and timing.
• The knowledge about benefits of TT is not correct as it is believed that TT protects the
newborns from tetanus, meningitis, polio and disabilities, etc.
• Various misconceptions about T.T injections exists, such as it is required in only first pregnancy,
these are family planning injections, they cause spontaneous abortions.
• Some women do not go for immunization because theor families do not allow them.
• Deliveries are mostly conducted at home by daiyan or family members and a few without any
assistance.
• Daiyan are preferred because of their personal relations with the mothers and their families.
• Daiyan and family members appear to be concerned about clean delivery in 6 districts (Sukkur,
Dadu, Jhelum, Haripur, Lakki marwat and Khuzdar) and they take measures for it. But some of
them lack understanding of what is clean and safe.
• Several items including new blade, thread, soap, dettol, cotton is arranged for deliveries. But
new blade is often washed with dettol or boiled, which is unnecessary and could lead to its
decontamination.
• Few husbands also showed concerns about maintaining cleanliness during pregnancy in a few
districts, but they were not aware of the specific measures.
• Some women understand that infections of skin, eye and cord can occur due to transmission of
germs but the cause is not known to many. However, the concept of dirt or filth causing it does
exist.
• Information regarding these infections is also built on traditional knowledge and beliefs, such
as heat in mother’s womb, mothers diet, nazar, radiation of heat from newborn’s body etc., and
measures are taken accordingly to treat them.
• Home remedy is done because of tradition and because most of these problems are not
thought to be dangerous. Neonates are taken to an HCP only when the problem becomes
severe in most of the cases. However, in few districts, they are not taken to HCP even in severe
condition.
Socio-Cultural • Cleanliness is not ensured during delivery or for cutting and tying of cord and blade or thread
in some districts, especially in rural areas (Khuzdar, Pishin, Haripur) .
• Harmful practices of Daiyan were reported in some districts such as putting oil or cotton in
vagina or inducing vomiting to ease delivery.
• Tablets and IV infusions along with some home remedies are given in case of prolonged labor.
• Female doctors or LHVs are called for home deliveries by those who can afford, especially in
urban areas, in districts of NWFP (Charsadda, Haripur).
• Application of ghee or its mixture, dettol, spirit, surma, etc is a common practice in all districts.
• Home management practices for cord, eye and skin problems are derived both from tradition
and medical science.
• Spiritual healing is also done for all types of problems of the neonates. It may or may not
involve taking the neonate to the healer.
• Certain superstitions exist such as lunar eclipse causes skin and eye infection in some districts.
• Newborn is avoided to be taken outside home in first forty days in almost all districts, which
affects health care seeking.
30 l Formative Research on Neonatal Sepsis, Low Birth Weight AND Birth Asphyxia