Teaching Nurses Neonatal Resuscitation: Knowledge gained from a Neonatal Resuscitation Training Program

Abstract

Neonatal care provided within the first few minutes of life plays a major role in the reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality. At least one health care worker knowledgeable about neonatal resuscitation should be at the delivery. To evaluate the knowledge gained following Neonatal Resuscitation Program training courses for nurses. Nurse-midwives attending the annual Neonatal Resuscitation Program of the Pediatric Association of Nigeria was trained according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program module which included didactic and practical teaching participated in the study. Assessment was by direct observation within the seminar room and written pre- and post-test evaluations with practical evaluation after the training session. 281 nurse-midwives were trained at the Neonatal Resuscitation Program workshops between 2010 and 2013. Overall average score was 10.58 (±2.73) and 14.02 (±2.19) for pre-test and post-test respectively and observed difference was significant (p = <.001). The results suggest that participation in Neonatal Resuscitation Program course significantly increased knowledge of neonatal resuscitation by nurses.

Keywords: Neonatal Resuscitation Program; Birth asphyxia; pre-test; post-test; Nigeria