Background and objectives

Traditional cranial molding is an ancient practice prevalent in Ghana. In this work, we aimed at assessing mothers’/caregivers’ perspective and their knowledge on potential harm of cranial molding on neonates.

Methods

Two hundred and one (201) nursing mothers with babies aged 1–12 months were sampled in a cross-sectional study using questionnaires. We assessed the mothers’/caregivers’ reasons for cranial molding, their perceived benefits of this practice, and their knowledge about the potential harm this practice pose to babies.

Results

Sixty four percent (64%) of mothers confirmed they practice cranial molding on their babies either on their own or through the assistance of a caretaker. However, 72% of all mothers/caregivers did not know this practice has the potential to harm the baby in any way. Mothers’/caregivers’ reasons for this practice included the following: to achieve a more “beautiful” head shape, hasten the healing of the fontanelle, and limit head growth. There was a significant association between the mothers’/caregivers’ level of education and the practice of cranial molding (p value < 0.05). However, there was no association between head symmetry and cranial molding (p value > 0.05).

Conclusions and implications

Majority of mothers/caregivers were actively engaged in cranial molding on neonates but remain ignorant about the potential harm this practice could have on their babies. Mothers/caregivers therefore need to be educated about the potential harm posed by traditional cranial molding on neonates.

中文翻译：

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加纳新生儿的颅骨造型：母亲的观点及其对婴儿大脑潜在伤害的认识

背景和目标

传统的颅骨造型是加纳流行的一种古老做法。在这项工作中，我们旨在评估母亲/照顾者的观点和他们对颅骨成型对新生儿潜在危害的了解。

方法

在使用问卷的横断面研究中，对 201 (201) 名育有 1-12 个月婴儿的哺乳母亲进行了抽样。我们评估了母亲/看护人的颅骨成型原因、他们认为这种做法的好处，以及他们对这种做法对婴儿造成的潜在危害的了解。

结果

64% (64%) 的母亲证实，她们自己或通过看护人的帮助对婴儿进行颅骨造型。然而，72% 的母亲/照顾者不知道这种做法有可能以任何方式伤害婴儿。母亲/看护者采用这种做法的原因包括：为了获得更“美丽”的头部形状，加速囟门的愈合，并限制头部的生长。母亲/照顾者的教育水平与颅骨成形实践之间存在显着关联（p值 < 0.05）。然而，头部对称性与颅骨成型之间没有关联（p值 > 0.05）。

结论和影响

大多数母亲/护理人员积极参与新生儿的颅骨造型，但仍然不知道这种做法可能对婴儿造成的潜在伤害。因此，需要对母亲/看护者进行有关传统颅骨造型对新生儿的潜在危害的教育。