Practices Regarding Child Birth and Basic Newborn Care among Urban - Slum Population

Background: Present study was conducted to assess practices regarding child birth and basic new born care among urban slum population. Material and Methods: The mothers of newborns residing in urban slum near a tertiary care centre, Ahmadabad, were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Total 100 mothers were interviewed. Results: Out of total deliveries, 80 % deliveries were institutional. Among home deliveries 86 %were conducted by trained Dais; in 93 % cases umbilical cord application was done with cow dung (70 %) and rest by kumkum, hing and other substances. Out of total, 84 % babies were given pre lacteal feed in form of honey (36 %), jaggery water (32 %), and colostrum was given to only 14 % of newborns. Kajal application was done in all newborns in my study.98 % of newborns were given routine immunization.87 % of mothers believed that bottle feeding should be given to their babies. Conclusion: Traditional and unacceptable methods of newborn care are still persisting significantly in slum areas. Early initiation of breast feeding and Kangaroo mother care practices are far away from reality in an urban slum, which needs to be given more emphasis by health education and awareness.