Delivery practices in west Uttar Pradesh.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Infant mortality remains high in the northern states of India. Neonatal tetanus is one of the important causes of early infant death in the region. The authors identified healthy and unhealthy delivery practices in rural West Uttar Pradesh based upon interview data from 120 women who recently delivered at home. 98 of the deliveries occurred in the household living room, while the remaining 22 were conducted elsewhere in the home. The floor was properly washed in only 3.1% of deliveries, the cord cutting instrument was not sterilized in 43% of deliveries, and mustard oil and deshi ghee were used as first cord applicants in approximately 65% of deliveries. Hygienic delivery practices and settings are not commonly used in this study area. Trained birth attendants were no better aware of cleanliness in delivery practice than untrained birth attendants. Community awareness was also lacking. It is recommended that birth attendants have periodic refresher training and a viable monitoring system of birth attendant-conducted deliveries be established.