Adherence to Standard Neonatal Care Practices among New Mothers in Huruma Estate, Eldoret, Kenya

Limited access to skilled maternal and newborn healthcare services in low-resource settings continues to exacerbate this mortality in many developing countries. This study examined barriers to adherence to standard neonatal care protocols in Huruma Estate, an informal settlement in Eldoret town, Kenya. A community-based cross-sectional survey design was adopted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study targeted women of reproductive age (18–49 years), from whom a sample of 182 respondents was drawn using systematic sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, and analyzed descriptively using MS Excel. The findings revealed a high level of acknowledgement of the importance of community support systems and government-led interventions in promoting compliance with recommended neonatal care practices. However, significant gaps in healthcare access, awareness-raising, and the implementation of maternal and child health programs were reported. Key informants further identified cultural beliefs, social conditions, and environmental constraints as major barriers to neonatal care practices in the settlement. Misconceptions regarding the value of colostrum, inability to afford proper infant clothing, and perceptions associating newborns with uncleanliness promote harmful practices, including early bathing, thereby increasing risks of hypothermia and respiratory infections. The study recommends continuous targeted health education integrated into antenatal and postnatal care services to strengthen maternal knowledge, attitudes, and adoption of evidence-based neonatal care practices.