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