Saima Pirzada, Zahid Anwar*, Nazia Iqbal, Rafia Gul and Fatimah Noor

Department of Paediatrics, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author: Zahid Anwar, Department of Paediatrics, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Received: November 19, 2021; Published: December 21, 2021

Abstract

Background: We conducted this study to document the methods prevalent in our population for eyecare and use of Surma in neonates.

Methods: A 6-month study was done in Fatima Memorial Hospital, where mothers and female attendants of newborns were interviewed according to a formatted questionnaire, recording data about socio-demographics of participants, practices for eye care in newborns, and use of Surma.

Results: We interviewed 1425 females (mothers and attendants of newborns) in our hospital. Of participants, the mean age was 30 years, 33% were either illiterate or had not completed primary schooling, 73.4% were married, 49.5% were stay-home and 84.5% resided in Lahore. For eyecare after birth, 60% would use clean water, 18.9% had no knowledge, and 5.5% would use unsafe methods like antimicrobial agents. Medical personnel had guided females and families in 49%. Of the counselling by relatives (14.3%), grandmothers were a common influence. Majority (69.3%) of participants intended to use Surma, usually once a day, commonest reason being beautification of eyes and face.  There was no correlation between initial eye care method, intention to use Surma, and socio-demographics.

Conclusion: We should educate our community and medical personnel, about safe eye care practices in neonates.

Keywords: Newborn Care; Eye Care; Surma; Kohl; Neonates

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Citation

Citation: Zahid Anwar., et al. “Eye Care Practices and use of Surma in Newborns”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 6.1 (2022): 233-237.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Zahid Anwar., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.