Download Resource - Healthy Newborn Network

“This problem is not a disease it is rather saya
(possession) and we call it Balla” (FGD-Landiwah, Lakki
Marwat).
Newborn is taken for Dum Durood or given herbs like
Arirah, sakhko, kala zera, pakhpi, kacha arirah, ghatta arirah,
ziarhlarggy. These are grinded and given to the baby by
mixing a pinch with mothers milk till one year even after s/
he recovers (Charsadda). Given carom seeds, anis seeds,
heeng (Jhelum), etc.
Factors
Conclusions and Summary
Findings
Informational • Mothers as well as daiyan do not have clear idea about the normal duration of labor pains.
• Prolong labor is considered harmful.
• Immediate cry of the baby is considered important by women but not by males.
• Breathing is checked by dai or elders in the family.
• Holding the newborn upside down and patting on the back is a prevalent practice even among
daiyan to deal with absence of breath/cry. However, an LHW considered it to be an incorrect
practice.
• Most mothers do not know why a baby turns blue at the time of birth.
• Immediate health care seeking for ‘blue baby” is not mentioned by any participant, rather practice
like faith healing was reported to deal with blue-baby.
Socio-Cultural • Misconceptions about the reason for blue baby are commonly present. Effect of evil spirit or
evil-eye are commonly believed causes.
• Wrapping to keep warm and seeking faith healing for absence of breath and blue-baby are
common practices of management. However, in few areas the newborn is not taken to a doctor
in any condition.
• Breath is checked by feeling the pulse and heart beat, color of the newborn and is also determined
by the first cry.
• Use of smoke pipe to administer artificial breath could be dangerous.
36 l Formative Research on Neonatal Sepsis, Low Birth Weight AND Birth Asphyxia