ABSTRACT

This study investigated the infant care practices adopted by mothers in rural communities of Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State. Infant care practices, which include feeding, personal hygiene, umbilical cord management, maintenance of body temperature, and healthcare-seeking behaviour, are essential factors influencing infant survival, health and proper development. These practices are particularly important in rural communities, where access to formal healthcare facilities and organized maternal health education may be inadequate.

The study sought to identify the infant feeding practices adopted by mothers; examine the hygiene and cleanliness measures used in infant care; assess the methods employed in umbilical cord care; identify practices associated with maintaining adequate warmth; and investigate the healthcare-seeking behaviours of mothers when their infants become ill. It also aimed to assess the level of adequacy of maternal performance across the various infant care domains and establish the relationship between the adoption of these practices and selected maternal demographic characteristics.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was employed. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to mothers residing in selected rural communities within Udi Local Government Area. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The findings of this study are expected to provide useful evidence for developing and strengthening maternal and child health interventions, particularly those directed towards improving infant care practices and promoting better health outcomes among infants in rural communities of Enugu State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Infant care practices refer to the various activities and behavioural patterns adopted by mothers and other caregivers to promote the health, survival and proper development of infants. These practices include appropriate feeding, personal hygiene, umbilical cord care, temperature regulation and seeking appropriate medical attention when an infant becomes ill. They are particularly significant during the neonatal and early infancy stages, which are considered critical periods in a child's growth and development. In rural Nigerian communities, where access to healthcare facilities, organized antenatal education and skilled delivery services may be limited, maternal approaches to infant care are often influenced by traditional beliefs, cultural practices, community experiences and exposure to formal health education.

Studies conducted in South-Eastern Nigeria, where Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State is located, provide relevant evidence concerning the factors influencing maternal infant care practices. A study conducted in 2025 on the factors predicting mothers' home-based umbilical cord care, breastfeeding and thermoregulation practices among newborns in a South-Eastern Nigerian state established that maternal sociodemographic characteristics significantly influence the quality of newborn care. The study identified maternal age, level of education, occupation, place of delivery and parity as important factors associated with the adoption of appropriate newborn care practices. These findings indicate that maternal characteristics play an important role in determining how effectively mothers provide essential care for their infants (Odira, Onyeje, Udeogalanya, Olabisi, & Esan, 2025).

Similarly, a study conducted in 2022 among postnatal mothers attending immunisation clinics in South-Eastern Nigeria examined the factors influencing maternal knowledge and practices relating to essential newborn care. The findings revealed that although a considerable proportion of the mothers possessed satisfactory knowledge and demonstrated appropriate newborn care practices, certain sociodemographic and healthcare-related factors influenced the consistent application of this knowledge. In particular, antenatal counselling and delivery in healthcare facilities were identified as important factors that influenced the adoption of appropriate newborn care practices. This suggests that adequate maternal knowledge alone may not guarantee effective infant care unless mothers also receive appropriate healthcare support and guidance (Agu, Akamike, Okedo-Alex, Umeokonkwo, Ogbonna-Igwenyi, Madumere, & Keke, 2022).

In addition to newborn care, infant feeding practices constitute another important aspect of maternal caregiving that has considerable implications for child health and nutritional development. Research carried out in a rural Nigerian community investigated the relationship between infant feeding practices and the nutritional status of children aged six to twenty-three months. The findings established that compliance with recommended feeding guidelines, including exclusive breastfeeding, adequate feeding frequency and dietary diversity, was significantly related to the nutritional condition of infants. Infants whose mothers did not practise exclusive breastfeeding were found to have a higher likelihood of experiencing wasting, stunting and underweight conditions. These findings demonstrate the importance of appropriate feeding practices in preventing nutritional deficiencies and supporting healthy infant development (Olukayode, Olumakaiye, & Adegbenro, 2025).

Generally, evidence from these studies demonstrates that infant care practices constitute an important component of maternal and child healthcare. Appropriate practices relating to feeding, hygiene, umbilical cord care, warmth maintenance and healthcare-seeking behaviour contribute significantly to infant survival and overall well-being. Furthermore, the adoption of these practices is influenced by maternal demographic characteristics, access to healthcare services and exposure to relevant health information. Despite the availability of related research in other parts of South-Eastern Nigeria, there remains a need to examine these practices within specific rural communities. Therefore, this study focuses on assessing the infant care practices adopted by mothers in the rural communities of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the growing body of research on maternal and newborn care in South-Eastern Nigeria, concerns remain regarding the extent to which mothers consistently adopt appropriate infant care practices, particularly in rural communities. Existing studies have demonstrated that maternal sociodemographic characteristics, including age, educational attainment, occupation, place of delivery and parity, are significantly associated with the quality of newborn care practices, such as breastfeeding, umbilical cord care and temperature regulation (Odira, Onyeje, Udeogalanya, Olabisi, & Esan, 2025). Similarly, research has shown that factors such as antenatal counselling, institutional delivery and maternal characteristics influence the extent to which mothers translate their knowledge of essential newborn care into appropriate practical behaviours (Agu, Akamike, Okedo-Alex, Umeokonkwo, Ogbonna-Igwenyi, Madumere, & Keke, 2022).

However, much of the available evidence has been obtained from other locations within South-Eastern Nigeria, with limited specific information concerning the infant care practices adopted by mothers in the rural communities of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. This creates a gap in localized knowledge regarding the actual caregiving methods employed by mothers in the area, the level of adequacy of these practices and the possible influence of maternal demographic characteristics.

Furthermore, inappropriate infant feeding practices have been associated with adverse nutritional outcomes, including wasting, stunting and underweight conditions among infants in rural Nigerian communities (Olukayode, Olumakaiye, & Adegbenro, 2025). Similar concerns may arise from inadequate hygiene, improper umbilical cord management, poor maintenance of infant body temperature and delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour when infants become ill.

The absence of adequate community-specific information may make it difficult for healthcare professionals and policymakers to design maternal and child health programmes that adequately address the actual needs and practices of mothers in Udi Local Government Area. Without reliable evidence concerning these different dimensions of infant care, interventions may fail to address the specific challenges experienced by mothers within the study area.

Consequently, this study seeks to investigate the infant care practices adopted by mothers in the rural communities of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, with particular emphasis on feeding, hygiene, umbilical cord care, warmth maintenance and healthcare-seeking behaviour. It will also examine the adequacy of maternal performance across these care domains and determine the relationship between the adoption of infant care practices and selected maternal demographic characteristics.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to examine the infant care practices adopted by mothers in the rural communities of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Identify the infant feeding practices adopted by mothers in the study area.

2. Examine the hygiene and cleanliness practices employed by mothers in providing care for their infants.

3. Assess the umbilical cord care practices adopted by mothers.

4. Identify the methods used by mothers to maintain adequate warmth and regulate the body temperature of their infants.

5. Examine the healthcare-seeking behaviours and practices adopted by mothers when their infants become ill.

6. Assess and compare the adequacy of maternal performance across the various infant care practice domains.

7. Determine the relationship between the adoption of infant care practices and selected maternal demographic characteristics.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What infant feeding practices are adopted by mothers in the rural communities of Udi Local Government Area?

2. What hygiene and cleanliness measures do mothers employ when caring for their infants?

3. What methods of umbilical cord care are practised by mothers in the study area?

4. What measures do mothers adopt to maintain adequate warmth and regulate the body temperature of their infants?

5. What healthcare-seeking behaviours and practices do mothers demonstrate when their infants are ill?

6. To what extent do mothers adequately perform the different infant care practices?

7. What relationship exists between the adoption of infant care practices and selected maternal demographic characteristics?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested in the course of the study:

Ho1: There is no statistically significant association between mothers' adoption of infant care practices and their demographic characteristics.

Ho2: There is no statistically significant difference in the adequacy of mothers' performance across the various domains of infant care practices.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial to various individuals, healthcare professionals and institutions involved in maternal and child healthcare.

Maternal and Child Health Practitioners: The study will provide useful information to community health workers, nurses and healthcare personnel working in primary healthcare centres within Udi Local Government Area. The findings will help identify existing gaps in maternal infant care practices and provide evidence for planning appropriate health education and intervention programmes.

Mothers: The study will increase awareness of the importance of appropriate infant care practices and highlight areas where improvements may be necessary. It may also encourage mothers to adopt recommended approaches to infant feeding, hygiene, umbilical cord care, warmth maintenance and healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Enugu State Ministry of Health and Policymakers: The findings will provide relevant information that may support the development, implementation and improvement of maternal and child health policies and programmes. They will also assist policymakers in identifying community-specific challenges that require attention within Udi Local Government Area and other rural communities in Enugu State.

Nursing and Public Health Educators: The study will serve as an additional academic resource for nursing professionals, public health educators and other healthcare trainers. It will contribute to teaching and learning activities relating to maternal care, infant health and community-based healthcare delivery.

Future Researchers: The study will provide relevant background information and serve as a reference material for researchers interested in maternal and infant healthcare practices, particularly those investigating similar issues in rural Nigerian communities. It may also provide a basis for further studies on factors influencing the adoption of appropriate infant care practices.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is restricted to the assessment of infant care practices adopted by mothers residing in the selected rural communities of Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State. It specifically covers five major dimensions of infant care: feeding practices, hygiene and cleanliness, umbilical cord care, maintenance of body warmth and healthcare-seeking behaviour during infant illness. Furthermore, the study examines the adequacy of mothers' performance across these different care domains and investigates their relationship with selected maternal demographic characteristics.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The study may encounter certain limitations that could influence the collection and interpretation of data. One major limitation is the reliance on information provided by mothers through self-reported questionnaires. Such responses may be affected by recall bias, whereby respondents may have difficulty accurately remembering their previous infant care practices. Social desirability bias may also occur when mothers provide answers they consider acceptable rather than accurately describing their actual caregiving behaviours.

Additionally, limitations relating to time, financial resources and other logistical considerations may restrict the research to selected rural communities within Udi Local Government Area rather than covering all the communities in the local government area. Consequently, the findings may not fully represent the infant care practices of every mother across the entire local government area.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Infant Care Practices: These refer to the various activities, procedures and behaviours adopted by mothers or caregivers to satisfy the feeding, hygiene, health and developmental needs of infants.

Umbilical Cord Care: This refers to the methods and procedures used in handling, cleaning and maintaining an infant's umbilical cord stump after birth to promote healing and prevent infections.

Thermoregulation/Warmth Maintenance: This describes the practices employed to maintain an infant's body temperature within an appropriate range, particularly during the neonatal period, when infants are more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations.

Health-Seeking Behaviour: This refers to the actions and decisions taken by mothers or caregivers in response to perceived or identified health problems in infants. Such actions include recognizing symptoms, seeking professional medical attention and deciding when and where to obtain healthcare services.

Maternal Demographic Data: These are the personal and socioeconomic characteristics of mothers, including age, educational qualification, occupational status and parity, which may be examined to determine their relationship with infant caregiving practices.

REFERENCES

Agu, A. P., Akamike, I. C., Okedo-Alex, I. N., Umeokonkwo, A. A., Ogbonna-Igwenyi, C. O., Madumere, O. D., & Keke, C. O. (2022). Predictors of knowledge and practice of newborn care among post-natal mothers attending immunisation clinics in Southeast Nigeria. Ghana Medical Journal, 56(3), s14–s23. https://doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v56i3s.14

Odira, C. C. H., Onyeje, B. T., Udeogalanya, E. A., Olabisi, O. I., & Esan, D. T. (2025). Predictors of mothers' home cord care, breastfeeding, and thermoregulation practices for newborns in a South-Eastern State, Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25, 605. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07705-x

Olukayode, T. J., Olumakaiye, M. F., & Adegbenro, C. A. (2025). Are infant feeding practices correlates of nutritional status of 6–23 months old babies in a rural community in Nigeria? African Health Sciences, 25(4). https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v25i4.24

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