Newborn care in rural Uttar Pradesh

To describe selected newborn care practices related to cord care, thermal care and breastfeeding in rural Uttar Pradesh and to identify socio-demographic, antenatal and delivery care factors that are associated with these practices.

A cross-sectional survey in rural Uttar Pradesh included 13,167 women who had a livebirth at home during the two years preceding data collection. Logistic regression was used to identify socio-demographic, antenatal and delivery care factors that were associated with the three care practices.

Use of antenatal care and skilled attendance at delivery were significantly associated with clean cord care and early breastfeeding, but not with thermal care. Antenatal home visits by a community-based worker were associated only with clean cord care. Women who received counseling from health workers or other sources on each of the newborn care practices during pregnancy were more likely to report the respective care practices, although levels of counseling were low.

The association between newborn care practices and antenatal care, counseling and skilled delivery attendance suggest that evidence-based newborn care practices can be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.