Prevalence and factors associated with utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices among postpartum mothers in Jinja district : a cross-sectional study.

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dc.contributor.authorTindimwebwa, Starlin
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-23T06:26:05Z
dc.date.available2026-09-23T06:26:05Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.descriptionDissertation
dc.description.abstractBackground: Non-conventional newborn care practices, defined as practices that deviate from recommended Essential Newborn Care (ENC) guidelines and may compromise newborn health and survival, remain common in many low-resource settings despite efforts to promote essential newborn care. These practices contribute to preventable neonatal morbidity and mortality, yet evidence on their prevalence and associated factors in Eastern Uganda remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence of non-conventional newborn care practices and factors associated with high utilization of these practices among postpartum mothers in Jinja District. Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted in Jinja District, Uganda, from April to June 2026. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews with 16 postpartum mothers and key informant interviews with five Village Health Team members and four traditional birth attendants. Participants were purposively selected, and data were analyzed thematically. Findings from the qualitative phase informed development of the quantitative data collection tool. The quantitative phase included 374 postpartum mothers who had delivered within the preceding three months. Participants were selected using multistage sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices was defined as reporting at least one non-conventional newborn care practice. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence, while modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to identify factors associated with utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: Qualitative findings showed that postpartum mothers practiced non-conventional newborn care in relation to umbilical cord care, bathing, feeding, and protective practices. These practices were influenced by cultural and spiritual beliefs, perceived benefits, and advice from grandmothers, other family members, peers, and traditional birth attendants. Quantitatively, 88.2% (330/374) of postpartum mothers reported utilizing at least one non-conventional newborn care practice. After adjustment, adolescent postpartum mothers aged 15–19 years (aPR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.04–1.30) and those aged 20–24 years (aPR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.01–1.28) and those aged 25-29 (aPR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01–1.26, p = 0.01) had higher prevalence of utilization compared with postpartum mothers aged 30 years and above. Higher maternal education was associated with lower utilization (aPR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.54–0.92), as was good knowledge of ENC (aPR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.81–0.98). Conclusion: Utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices was highly prevalent among postpartum mothers in Jinja District. The qualitative findings indicate that these practices were sustained by cultural beliefs, social influences, and perceived benefits despite relatively good knowledge of essential newborn care and substantial exposure to counselling. Interventions should therefore promote recommended newborn care practices while addressing sociocultural influences and engaging families and community actors in newborn care education. Recommendations: Health authorities should strengthen culturally appropriate newborn care education during antenatal and postnatal services and expand community-based behavior change interventions involving families and community leaders to discourage harmful newborn care practices with particular attention to young postpartum mothers and those with lower education levels.
dc.description.sponsorshipAssoc. Prof. Milton Musaba ; Sr Lydia Ssenyonga ; Busitema University
dc.identifier.citationTindimwebwa, S. (2026). Prevalence and factors associated with utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices among postpartum mothers in Jinja district : a cross-sectional study. [Unpublished dissertation]. Busitema University.
dc.identifier.urihttps://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9612
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBusitema University
dc.titlePrevalence and factors associated with utilization of non-conventional newborn care practices among postpartum mothers in Jinja district : a cross-sectional study.
dc.typeOther
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