Care of the newborn by traditional birth attendants

The study was carried out in a slum cum resettlement colony (Area-I) and four villages (Area-II) of Delhi. Management of the newborn by the 25 functioning Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA's) who conducted 83.64% deliveries in Area-I and 16.22% in Area-II was studied. Majority of TBA's did not have the concept of washing hands before conducting per vaginum (P/V) examinations or deliveries. Most of the TBA's, i.e., 21 out of 25 used a razor blade to cut the umbilical cord of which 9 used a fresh blade. No TBA left the cord untied. Vigorous patting in upright and also after holding the baby upside down was the commonest (68%) method of neonatal resuscitation. All TBA's massaged and bathed the baby everyday. Majority of the TBA's (18 out of 25) referred the baby to a health agency for immunization though they did not know the exact schedule.