Local understandings of vulnerability and protection during the neonatal period in Sylhet district, Bangladesh: a qualitative study

Background Understanding of local knowledge and practices relating to the newborn period, as locally defined, is needed in the development of interventions to reduce neonatal mortality. We describe the organisation of the neonatal period in Sylhet District, Bangladesh, the perceived threats to the well-being of neonates, and the ways in which families seek to protect them. Methods We did 39 in-depth, unstructured, qualitative interviews with mothers, fathers, and grandmothers of neonates, and traditional birth attendants. Data on neonatal knowledge and practices were also obtained from a household survey of 6050 women who had recently given birth. Findings Interviewees defined the neonatal period as the first 40 days of life (chollish din). Confinement of the mother and baby is most strongly…