Background: The World Health Organization recommends initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age. Infant feeding practices, including suboptimal breastfeeding practices, are associated with stunting. Rate of stunting was highest in the Mid-western region and lowest in the Eastern region of Nepal. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding practices in these two regions, as well as to identify factors associated with partial breastfeeding. Methods: We conducted a health facility-based cross-sectional study in the Mid-western and Eastern regions of Nepal from December 2017 to May 2018. Investigators administered a pre-tested questionnaire among consecutive 574 mother-infant dyads at different levels of health facilities. We dichotomized the breastfeeding pattern to partial breastfeeding and full (exclusive or predominant) breastfeeding. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with partial breastfeeding within 6 months of age. Results: There were 574 infants included in the study, all of which received at least some breastfeeding. Only 23.2% of infants were exclusively breastfed until 6 months, with 28.2% predominantly breastfed and 48.6% partially breastfed. Partial breastfeeding rate was 52.3% in the Mid-western region and 44.4% in the Eastern region. Breastfeeding was initiated within an hour from birth in 67.2% of infants. One-quarter of infants were given pre-lacteal feed, honey being the commonest. Knowledge of the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding was inadequate in 16, and 65% of mothers reported breastfeeding problems in the first 6 months. Firstborn and low birth weight infants had a significantly higher rate of partial breastfeeding. Partial breastfeeding was also higher when infants were not breastfed within 1 hour from birth, mothers reported having breastfeeding-related problems or had inadequate knowledge of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Nearly half of the infants were fully breastfed at 6 months of age in Nepal. The rate of partial breastfeeding was higher with inadequate knowledge on duration of exclusive breastfeeding or late initiation of breastfeeding or perceived breastfeeding problems. Hence, programs should address knowledge and practice gaps in breastfeeding practices, particularly among mothers of low birth weight and firstborn infants.

To reduce neonatal mortality attributable to intrapartum hypoxic events, Latter-days Saint Charities (LDSC) and Safa Sunaulo Nepal (SSN) implemented a neonatal resuscitation training, scale-up, and skill retention program. This article reports on the LDSC/SSN dissemination program and newborn outcomes associated with its implementation. To evaluate the program, we used a prospective cohort design to compare outcomes of birth cohorts in 87 health facilities preimplementation and postimplementation of the facility-based training. A paired T-test was used to determine whether baseline and endline values were significantly different. Resuscitation training began with trainers from 191 facilities attending Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training-of-trainer (ToT) courses. Thereafter, 87 facilities from five provinces received active mentoring, scale-up assistance (6389 providers trained), and skill retention support. The LDSC/SSN program was associated with decreases in the number of intrapartum stillbirths in all provinces except Bagmati. Neonatal deaths within 24 hours of birth decreased significantly in Lumbini, Madhesh, and Karnali provinces. Morbidity associations, as defined by sick newborn transfers, decreased significantly in Lumbini, Gandaki, and Madhesh provinces. The LDSC/SSN model of neonatal resuscitation training, scale-up, and skill retention has the potential to significantly improve perinatal outcomes. It could potentially guide future programs in Nepal and other resource-limited settings.

Intrapartum events leading to asphyxia at birth are among the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nepal. In response to this, the Nepal Ministry of Health and Population adopted Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) as a tool to improve neonatal resuscitation competencies. The effectiveness of HBB trainings has been well established. However, challenges remain in maintaining skills over time. Safa Sunaulo Nepal (SSN), with support from Latter-day Saint Charities (LDS Charities) designed an initiative for scaling up newborn resuscitation training and skills maintenance over time. This paper reports on the implementation of the SSN model of newborn resuscitation trainings and skill retention, and the changes in perinatal outcomes that occurred after the program. The program built capacity among facility-based trainers for the scale up and maintenance of resuscitation skills in 20 facilities in Madhesh Province, Nepal. A single external Mentor coached and assisted the facility-based trainers, provided general support, and monitored progress. Prospective outcome monitoring tracked changes in health metrics for a period of 14 months. Data was gathered on the neonatal health outcomes of 68,435 vaginal deliveries and 9,253 cesarean sections. Results indicate decreases in neonatal deaths under 24 hours of life (p<0.001), intrapartum stillbirths (p<0.001), and the number of sick newborns transferred from the maternity unit (p<0.001). During the program, facility-based trainers taught resuscitation skills to 231 medical personnel and supported ongoing skill retention. The SSN model for newborn resuscitation training and skills retention is a low-cost, evidence-based program focusing on facility-based trainers who are mentored and supported to scale-up and sustain resuscitation skills over time. Findings from the report are suggestive that the model had a substantial influence on critical neonatal outcomes. Future programs focused on improving neonatal outcomes may benefit by incorporating program elements of SSN model.

The Safa Sunaulo Nepal (SSN) program to scale up newborn resuscitation capacity-building and skill retention was associated with decreased neonatal death within 24 hours and decreased sick newborns discharged from the maternity unit. n The program resulted in 43 facility-based trainers cascading resuscitation skills to 425 medical personnel and supporting skill retention over time.

Background Intrapartum events leading to asphyxia at birth is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nepal. In response to this, the Nepal Ministry of Health and Population adopted Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) as a tool to improve neonatal resuscitation. The effectiveness of HBB trainings in developing newborn resuscitation knowledge and skills of service providers have been well established. However, challenges remain in maintaining skills over time. Safa Sunaulo Nepal (SSN), with support from LDS Charities designed an initiative for scaling up newborn resuscitation training and maintaining skills over time. This paper reports on the implementation of SSN’s model of newborn resuscitation trainings and skill retention, and changes in perinatal outcomes that occurred during the program. Methods The program capacitated facility-based trainers for scale up and maintaining resuscitation skills in 20 facilities in Madhesh Province, Nepal. A single external mentor coached and assisted the facility-based trainers, provided general support, and monitored progress. Prospective outcome monitoring tracked changes in health metrics for a period of 14 months. To analyze changes over the time, the neonatal mortality, morbidity, and stillbirths at the baseline (first two months) of the program was compared with the endline (last two months) measures. Results Data was gathered on neonatal health outcomes of 68,435 vaginal deliveries and 9,253 cesarean sections. Results indicate decreases in <24 hours neonatal deaths (p<0.001), intrapartum stillbirths (p<0.001), and number of sick newborns transferred from the maternity unit (p<0.001). During the program, facility-based trainers taught resuscitation skills to 231 medical personnel and supported skill retention. Conclusions SSN’s model is a low-cost, evidence-based program focusing on facility-based trainers, who are mentored and supported to scale-up and sustain resuscitation skills over time. Findings from the report are suggestive that the model had a substantial influence on critical neonatal outcomes. Future programs focused on improving neonatal outcomes may benefit by incorporating program elements of SSN model.