Navel String Preservation among Nursing Mothers in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State

The purpose of this study is to assess navel string preservation among nursing mothers in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State. Two objectives were formulated to guide the study. Two research questions were posed and answered. Literature was reviewed according to the variables of the study. The study adopted a survey research design. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 200 nursing mothers used as respondents in the study. The instrument used for data collection is a structured questionnaire. The instrument was duly validated by relevant authorities. Descriptive statistics was used for data analyses. The result obtained from analysis of data revealed that nursing mothers in the study area widely use cow dung for navel string care; and there is also the prevalent use of vaseline for navel string care among nursing mothers in the study area. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the community leaders and non-governmental organizations should organize community workshops to engage nursing mothers and raise awareness about the potential harms associated with the traditional practice of using cow dung for string care. Also, local health authorities should collaborate with community leaders to implement initiatives to promote the safe use of vaseline for navel string care. They can disseminate information through health clinics, community centres, and outreach programmes, ensuring accurate information reaches nursing mothers and addresses any discrepancies in reported community practices.

Keywords: Navel String Preservation, Nursing Mothers, Use of Cow Ding, Use of Vaseline