A STUDY ON NEONATAL CARE PRACTICES IN A RURAL AREA OF BIJAPUR TALUK, BIJAPUR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

Abstract

Neonatal mortality accounts for two-thirds of all infants death.Newborn care is influenced by cultural practices prevalent in an area apart from medical & economic causes. Objective: To document cultural practices prevalent in this area. Methodology: Rural community based cross – sectional study was conducted between 1st Jan 2011 to 31st March 2012. All full-term pregnant women who have delivered a live baby between 01-01-2011 to 31-12-2011 were included in the study. Information was collected in their home only after taking consent. Results: 220 post-natal mothers were interviewed. 79% were institutional deliveries