Medical Beliefs and Practices Regarding Newborn Care and Care-Seeking Behaviour Among Postnatal Mothers: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The first 28 days of life (the neonatal period) is a critical time when newborns are at high risk of infection, hypothermia, feeding difficulties, and other complications. The beliefs, traditions, and level of knowledge of mothers are the best determinants of newborn care practices and the timing of mothers to seek medical care for danger signs. Knowledge of these beliefs, practices and care-seeking patterns is critical to designing effective maternal and child health interventions.

Objectives: To find out the medical beliefs of mothers regarding newborn care, to assess the practices of newborn care, to explore the care-seeking behavior of postnatal mothers, and to find out the association of selected demographic variables with these three domains.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used among 100 postnatal mothers admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Ward of Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida, by non-probability convenience sampling from March to June 2026. Data were collected using a researcher-developed structured interview schedule consisting of four sections: demographic variables, medical beliefs (20 items), newborn care practices (20 items), and care-seeking behavior (20 items). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (chi-square test, Pearson correlation).

Results: Most participants were 18-25 years old (48.0%), homemakers (72.0%), and had one or two children (84.0%). Overall, 52.0% of mothers had adequate medical beliefs (mean 13.99 ± 3.73/20), 51.0% had good newborn care practices (mean 57.49 ± 12.72/80), and 60.0% had good care-seeking behavior (mean 59.88 ± 12.11/80). Educational status, monthly family income, and source of information were significantly associated with all three domains (p < 0.05). All three domains were positively correlated, with the strongest correlation between newborn care practices and care-seeking behavior (r = 0.71, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: About half of the postnatal mothers had positive health beliefs, care practices, and care-seeking behavior, but there were gaps in umbilical cord care, kangaroo mother care, and timely help-seeking despite financial or cultural barriers. Structured health education, especially targeting mothers of low education and low income, can improve evidence-based newborn care and reduce preventable neonatal morbidity and mortality.