Knowledge and skills' retention in helping babies breathe training among midwives and nurses in Rwanda.

Abstract

Background: Globally, each year approximately 10 million babies do not breathe immediately after birth. The first minutes following birth are critical to decreasing neonatal mortality. Birth asphyxia (BA) was defined as a deprivation of oxygen to the baby immediately after birth, was classified as the second leading cause of neonatal death worldwide. The current burden of the problem leads to 39% of neonatal death in Rwanda. To reduce neonatal mortality rate related to intrapartum birth asphyxia, country has made an effort by integrating Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training among healthcare providers. A pre-post and follow-up test has been done to assess the retention of knowledge and skills after HBB training. Objective: To assess the retention of HBB knowledge and skills after six weeks of training among midwives and nurses working in selected health centers in Kigali. Methods: The quantitative approach with quasi experimental design was used. Ethical clearance has sought. Knowledge of the trainees was evaluated before, post and follow-up test 6 weeks after the training. A total population sampling was used to select participant nurses and midwives from four selected health centers in Kigali. The training used the second edition HBB curriculum. A post course skills assessment was done on Neo-Natalie mannequin. A descriptive, and inferential statistical analysis; Paired sample T-test and ANOVA were used to compare the mean score of the results from pre- immediate post- and follow-up test after six weeks, relationship between factors and outcomes. Data were presented in the tables, p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sixty participants completed the course. The analysis of the findings revealed that an improvement was reported six weeks after the training. The overall mean score in assessment of the level of knowledge was 0.82 in pretest, 0.91 immediately after training and 0.96 in follow-up after six weeks. There were improvement observed through OSCE six weeks after the course. The practice has been retained overall mean score of 0.72 to 0.97 six weeks after training. The mean score difference was statistically significant in knowledge and practice as per experience. (P= 0.045 and P = 0.035 respectively) Conclusion: Midwives and nurses who participated in a training of HBB second edition can significantly improve the level of knowledge and skills for at least six weeks.