The Influence of the Tradition of Rubbing Jackfruit Leaf Ash on the Navel of Newborns on the Time of Umbilical Cord Shedding at the Lemo Community Health Center, Central Kalimantan

Abstract

Improper care of the newborn's umbilical cord increases the possibility of tetanus spores entering the body through the umbilical cord, which can cause neonatal tetanus. where umbilical cord care uses traditional ingredients such as ashes from burned Madurese cloth, jackfruit or turmeric leaves, and a concoction of betel leaves pounded with salt. These ingredients are applied to the umbilical cord stump, both open and closed. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural ingredients used to care for the umbilical cord of newborns by the community in the Lemo Health Center UPT area, Central Kalimantan in 2025. This research method: qualitative with samples in this study were 9 newborns aged 0-10 days. The analysis used an interactive model developed by Miles and Hubberman. The results showed that the majority of the infants' grandmothers (5 people) and four infants' mothers were the implementers. The oldest age was 66 years, the youngest was 28 years, and the highest education was junior high school, and the lowest was not graduated from elementary school. Rubbing spices and ashes into the umbilical cord stump, three respondents used a mixture of betel leaves and salt, three respondents used turmeric and salt, one respondent used ash from dried jackfruit leaves, and two respondents used ash from Madura cloth. Umbilical cord care methods: two respondents did it privately, and seven respondents did it openly. The amount of time for umbilical cord detachment was observed in respondents I and VII (four days), respondents II and IV (seven days), respondents III, V, VIII, and IX (three days), and respondent VI (five days). In conclusion, the time for umbilical cord detachment is considered normal or fast, with the fastest being 3 days and the longest being 7 days. It is hoped that midwives will communicate with local community leaders to promote clean, dry, and closed umbilical cord care, which is recommended by the government and carried out by midwives or health workers.