Knowledge and Practice of Nurses on the Use of Chlorhexidine Gel in Prevention of Neonatal Cord Infection in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Published)
Neonatal cord infection remains a significant contributor to neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries, with umbilical cord care practices playing a central preventive role. Chlorhexidine gel is a World Health Organization-recommended intervention for cord care in high-risk settings, yet its uptake among nursing professionals in Nigeria remains suboptimal. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of nurses regarding the use of chlorhexidine gel in neonatal cord infection prevention at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 70 neonatal nurses selected by purposive sampling from five wards. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied at a 5% significance level.All respondents were female (100%), with the majority aged 36–45 years (27.1%) and holding a Bachelor of Nursing Science qualification (74.3%). The majority (71.4%) demonstrated good knowledge of chlorhexidine gel use, while only 47.1% demonstrated good practice. There was no significant association between knowledge or practice and most socio-demographic variables (p > 0.05), except for a borderline association between age and practice (p = 0.05). A statistically significant association was found between knowledge and practice (χ² = 3.583; p = 0.048). Despite adequate knowledge levels, practice of chlorhexidine gel use remains poor among nurses at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Hospital administration should enforce clinical protocols, strengthen training programmes, and ensure consistent supply of chlorhexidine gel to bridge the knowledge-practice gap.
Keywords: Neonatal cord infection, Nursing practice, Omphalitis, Umbilical cord care, chlorhexidine gel
Effect of a Nurse-Led Intervention on the knowledge of and attitude towards Chlorhexidine Gel for Cord Treatment on Babies in selected hospitals in Lagos State (Published)
Newborn survival is strongly linked to care quality, with proper umbilical cord care crucial in preventing infections during the first week of life, thereby improving neonatal health outcomes. The main objective was to assess the effect nurse-led intervention on the knowledge of and attitude towards chlorhexidine gel for cord treatment on babies. The study adopted a two group quasi-experimental method. The target population for the study were all the pregnant women in their last trimester attending antenatal clinic in the selected secondary health facilities in Lagos Island while the total sample size was 120 pregnant women in their last trimester selected using purposive and proportional sampling technique. The research instrument used was a questionnaire divided into three sections. The study was carried out in three phases and data collected were analysed using SPSS version 28. The results revealed that in the experimental group, knowledge of chlorhexidine gel use improved significantly from a pre-intervention mean score of 5.14 to 12.69, with 93.7% attaining high knowledge, unlike the control group. Attitudes also shifted in the experimental group from negative to positive, with mean scores rising from 20.14 to 32.69, while the control group showed minimal change. Post-intervention analyses confirmed significant group differences (knowledge: t = 33.858, p < .05; attitude: t = 49.858, p < .05). The study concluded that nurse-led interventions significantly improved mothers’ knowledge and attitudes towards chlorhexidine gel for cord care. It recommends regular health education during antenatal and postnatal care, alongside standardised protocols on umbilical cord care.
Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, chlorhexidine gel, cord-treatment, nurse-led intervention