Objective To provide information about home care practices for newborns in rural Egypt, in order to improve neonatal home care through preventive measures and prompt recognition of danger signs.

Method Survey of newborn home care practices during the first week of life in 217 households in three rural Egyptian Governorates.

Results Many practices met common neonatal care standards, particularly prompt initial breastfeeding, feeding of colostrum and continued breastfeeding, and most bathing practices. However, several practices could be modified to improve neonatal care and survival. Supplemental substances were given to 44% of newborns as pre-lacteal feeds, and to more than half during the first week. Nearly half (43%) of mothers reported that they did not wash their hands before neonatal care, and only 7% washed hands after diaper changes. Thermal control was not practiced, although mothers perceived 22% of newborns to be hypothermic.

Conclusions The practices we observed, which are critical for newborn survival, could be improved with minor modifications. We provide a framework for communicating behaviour change and setting research priorities for improving neonatal health