Newborn resuscitation: knowledge and practice among midwives in Kenyatta National Hospital labour ward and maternity theatre.

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is one of the most common diagnoses made in our Newborn unit. Morbidity and mortality from perinatal asphyxia can greatly be reduced by effective newborn resuscitation. Opiyo et al in 2007 conducted a study at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi, which demonstrated that newborn resuscitation practice improved following a one day training of health workers at the facility. The study we undertook was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was conducted on midwives practising in the Kenyatta National Hospital maternity theatre and labour wards. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge and practices in newborn resuscitation by this group of nurses, and to determine whether there were any knowledge and/or practice gaps in the resuscitation of the newborn as compared to the set international guidelines. Methods and Principal Findings: The study subjects (midwives in maternity theatre and labour ward) were assessed on knowledge through a standardized questionnaire and on practice using a guiding checklist. Resuscitation practice was assessed three times on each midwife. Simple frequencies were used to estimate the proportion of midwives performing newborn resuscitation. The adjusted chi-square test for binary variables, was used to compare demographic and other factors between the midwives who performing newborn resuscitation correctly versus those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent correlates of correct newborn resuscitative practices. Utility: This study helped us highlight some of the knowledge and practice gaps amongst the midwives practicing in our maternity units and therefore, based on the results, recommendations on how to address the findings have been proposed.