Umbilical cord-cutting practices and place of delivery in Bangladesh

ObjectiveTo investigate place of delivery, umbilical cord-cutting instruments used, and substances applied to the cord stump in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional data analysis was performed on a nationally representative sample of 4925 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) with at least 1 child.ResultsMore than 80% of women delivered at home. In 6% of cases, blades from a clean-delivery kit (CDK) were used to cut the cord; in 90% of cases, the blades used were from another source; in 4% of cases, other instruments such as bamboo strips and scissors were used to cut the cord. In 51% of cases, a substance (e.g. antibiotic powder/ointment, alcohol/spirit, mustard oil with garlic, boric powder, turmeric, and chewed rice) was applied to the stump after the cord was cut.ConclusionThe present findings underscore the need for further advocacy, availability, and use of cord-cutting instruments from CDKs, especially for deliveries that occur outside healthcare facilities.