Hygiene practices of mothers of hospitalized neonates at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in Zambia

Risk of neonatal mortality secondary to infections such as pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases can be influenced by maternal hygiene, but little is known about current maternal hygiene practices in lowand middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the hygiene practices of mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients in Lusaka, Zambia and associated epidemiological factors. A cross-sectional survey of the mothers of hospitalized neonates at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka was conducted. Study nurses orally administered questionnaires to mothers in their local languages about their hygiene practices related to newborn care. Of the 201 mothers surveyed, self-reported hygiene practice was associated with literacy (p1⁄4 0.013) and income (p< 0.0001). In contrast, adherence to recommended hygienic newborn care was less common, with only 36% of mothers practising recommended cord care practices. Forgetfulness (32%) and lack of hygiene resources (13%) were the major barriers to hygienic behaviours. Surveyed Zambian women who delivered babies requiring NICU care self-reported adequate hygienic practices and apparently faced difficulty practising them due to forgetfulness and a lack of hygiene resources. Future efforts should focus on improving cord care education, reinforcement of the importance of hygienic behaviours, and the supply of affordable antiseptic tools. doi: 10.2166/washdev.2019.140 s://iwaponline.com/washdev/article-pdf/doi/10.2166/washdev.2019.140/610465/washdev2019140.pdf Jason H. Park (corresponding author) Boston University School of Medicine, 112 Longwood Ave, Apt 3, Brookline, MA 02446 E-mail: jhspark@bu.edu Lawrence Mwananyanda Rights to Care-Zambia, Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 1109 Mikwala House, Brendwood Road, Lusaka, Zambia Maria Servidone Boston Medical Centre, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Crosstown Building, Rm 2003, Boston, MA 02118 Jean Sichone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Teaching Hospital, Nationalist Rd, Lusaka, Zambia Susan E. Coffin Department of Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2706 South St, Roberts Research Bldg, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Davidson H. Hamer Department of Global Health, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Public Health, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Centre, Right to Care-Zambia, Crosstown 3rd floor, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Contributed equally.