Saberes e práticas de mães ribeirinhas e o cuidado dos filhos recém-nascidos: contribuição para a enfermagem.

Background: This was a descriptive study with qualitative approach, having as its focus the knowledge and practices of riverside mothers and care of their newborn babies. Objectives: to identify the cultural values in riverside mothers' care of newborns, and to discuss their knowledge and practices with respect to the care of their newborns. Methodology: data collection took place from January to February 2011 and the location was the riverside town of Benjamin Constant, Amazonas, Brazil. The study participants were mothers born in the coastal city, and responsible for caring for their children. The questionnaire was divided into two stages, the first relating to socioeconomic and cultural identity and the second to the mothers' care of the newborn baby. Data analysis was based on ethnonursing. Results and conclusion: we interviewed twenty riverside mothers aged between 20 and 46 years, mean age 33 years. The study showed that cultural values influence the riverside mothers in the care of their newborns. It was also observed that these women lack information related to the care of the newborn, for example, umbilical stump, hygiene and colic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]