Umbilical Cord Care Practice by Mothers Attending Selected Primary Health Care Centres in Emekuku, Imo State

Inadequate umbilical cord care puts newborns at risk for infections that greatly increase neonatal morbidity and death, especially in places with limited resources. For this reason, umbilical cord care is an essential part of neonatal health. In many rural communities, dangerous traditional techniques of cord care are still widely used, despite international recommendations that support evidence-based treatments.The practice of umbilical cord care was evaluated in this study among mothers who visited particular primary health care facilities in Emekuku, Imo State. Using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, 162 mothers of infants ages 0–12 weeks participated. Systematic sampling was used to choose the participants. A verified, structured questionnaire covering cord care procedures was used to gather data. SPSS version 25 was used to analyse the data. Just 66.2% of respondents correctly recognised the symptoms of an umbilical cord infection, despite the fact that 79.5% had heard of umbilical cord care. Of the mothers, 59.6% were found to be properly adhering to suggested cord care methods. While 36.8% of respondents continued to use methylated spirit, 42.3% of respondents employed traditional items like herbs and ashes. Compared to mothers who gave birth at home (47.2%), mothers who gave birth in medical facilities exhibited noticeably superior cord care habits (82.5%). The location of delivery and compliance with advised cord care procedures were found to be statistically significantly correlated. Mothers in Emekuku continue to engage in risky behaviours despite a comparatively high level of understanding on umbilical cord care. Improving newborn outcomes requires bolstering maternal education, encouraging facility-based deliveries, and incorporating community-based interventions with primary health care services.