A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON THE MIDWIVES’ ACCEPTANCE OF UMBILICAL CORD CLAMPING IN THE GREATER KABALE DISTRICT IN UGANDA.

Abstract

Introduction:

Timely and appropriate umbilical cord clamping was found to be key in reducing neonatal death. Despite current guidelines recommending when to clamp the umbilical cord, some midwives in the Greater Kabale District continued to use immediate cord clamping. 

Aim: The study assessed the acceptance of umbilical cord clamping among midwives in the Greater Kabale District in Uganda.

Methods:

The study employed a cross-sectional study design with a sample size of 174 midwives practicing at 17 public health facilities in the study area. A self-structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.87 was used to gather quantitative data for the study. Data were analyzed with descriptive tools of percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation. Ethical approval was obtained from the university research ethics committee.

Results:

The study revealed a 41% acceptance rate among the respondents. Respondents’ age, years of practice, and health facility were statistically significant to midwives ‘acceptance of umbilical cord clamping.

Conclusion:

Although the WHO recommended delayed umbilical cord clamping, the acceptance of this procedure is still very low among midwives in Greater Kabale District. Therefore, there is an urgent need to educate and sensitize midwives on the health benefits of delayed clamping to be able to improve their acceptance.

Recommendations:

Regular Continuing Medical Education for the midwives is necessary to keep them to equip them with updated information and getting informed which can have a great impact on the acceptance. Mentorships and support supervision for the health facilities offering maternal health services should be done and emphasize the benefits of DCC to the newborn.