Objective: Objective of this study was find out the prevailing cultural practices pertaining to delivery and
newborn care among the Gond tribe of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh.
Methodology: We conducted a study in the two blocks of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. A total 522
study subjects were selected out of two blocks and they were interviewed by pretested, pre-structured
schedule.
Result: In the study conducted, almost 99% households had the knowledge of Janani Suraksha Yojana, and
84.1 % delivery as institutional deliveries supported though ASHAs workers, remain deliveries conducted by
TBAs, neighbors or family members (dai) in study blocks. Almost 91.6% households don’t have the
knowledge regarding hygienic practices and 94% umbilical cord cutting by TBAs with using the DDKs
during home delivery and blades are common instrument. A majority of households given the multiple
responses after delivery regarding child and households said let sleep, left alone, breastfed, washed or bathe
the baby as per table. Also common practices are navel cord care in study blocks, 34% households are uses
talcum powder for dried navel cord, 30.2% toils crashed powder home remedies and 19.1% uses the
mustered oil for the same in study blocks, after that ritual ceremony conducted at home.
Conclusion: Utilization of health services and promotion of institutional deliveries should be increased by
enhancing awareness among females, ensuring availability of health staff, improving quality of services in
government setups and training of all the untrained TBAs. Antenatal care plays a critical role in preparing a
woman and her family for child birth by establishing confidence between the woman and her health care
provider