Survey of Umbilical Cord care and Separation time in Healthy Newborns in Kano

hundred and forty nine (60.9. p e r c e n t ) m o t h e r s a p p l i e d methylated spirit, 145 (25.3 percent) used hot compress, while 50 (8.7 percent) applied toothpaste on the cord. Twenty (3.5 percent) others applied herbs, while nine (1.6 percent) applied dusting powder to the umbilical stump. Cord sepa ra t ion t ime was significantly shorter among babies whose mothers were of high parity, unbooked, and of low educational status. In addition, the use of razor blade, thread, hot compress or application of herbal preparations or toothpas te s igni f icant ly shortened the separation time (P<0.05). Cord separation time and cord care practices varied. Nigerian mothers often use unorthodox interventions to shorten cord separation time; however, the risk of omphalitis that may result from this is real. We recommend that each centre should adopt and teach mothers a standard hygienic c o r d c a r e p r a c t i c e w h i l e discouraging the use of herbs and untested materials.