The prevalence of harmful traditional umbilical cord care practices and associated factors in newborns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Harmful umbilical cord care practices remain a major public health concern in various developing countries, contributing significantly to neonatal sepsis, which accounts for approximately 15% of all neonatal deaths globally. Despite known health risks, many caregivers continue to rely on traditional methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the national prevalence of such practices and identify associated factors.