Evaluation of an educational program for essential newborn care in resource-limited settings: Essential Care for Every Baby

Abstract

BackgroundEssential Care for Every Baby (ECEB) is an evidence-based educational program designed to increase cognitive knowledge and develop skills of health care professionals in essential newborn care in low-resource areas. The course focuses on the immediate care of the newborn after birth and during the first day or until discharge from the health facility. This study assessed the overall design of the course; the ability of facilitators to teach the course; and the knowledge and skills acquired by the learners.MethodsTesting occurred at 2 global sites. Data from a facilitator evaluation survey, a learner satisfaction survey, a multiple choice question (MCQ) examination, performance on two objective structured clinical evaluations (OSCE), and pre- and post-course confidence assessments were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pre-post course differences were examined. Comments on the evaluation form and post-course group discussions were analyzed to identify potential program improvements.ResultsUsing ECEB course material, master trainers taught 12 facilitators in India and 11 in Kenya who subsequently taught 62 providers of newborn care in India and 64 in Kenya. Facilitators and learners were satisfied with their ability to teach and learn from the program. Confidence (3.5 to 5) and MCQ scores (India: pre 19.4, post 24.8; Kenya: pre 20.8, post 25.0) improved (p < 0.001). Most participants demonstrated satisfactory skills on the OSCEs. Qualitative data suggested the course was effective, but also identified areas for course improvement. These included additional time for hands-on practice, including practice in a clinical setting, the addition of video learning aids and the adaptation of content to conform to locally recommended practices.ConclusionECEB program was highly acceptable, demonstrated improved confidence, improved knowledge and developed skills. ECEB may improve newborn care in low resource settings if it is part of an overall implementation plan that addresses local needs and serves to further strengthen health systems.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0382-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Improved postnatal care is needed to maintain gains in neonatal survival after the implementation of the Helping Babies Breathe initiative

“…Such a change in practice could have increased in-hospital mortality in the intervention period. HBS has been proven to be an educational package with high acceptance and improvements in confidence, skills and knowledge in low-income settings (19). Another limitation was the competing outcomes of intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality.…”

“…It also includes essential care for small babies, emphasising the use of KMC care for low birthweight babies and alternative feeding methods when nutrition is poor. HBS has been proven to be an educational package with high acceptance and improvements in confidence, skills and knowledge in low-income settings (19). However, the potential effect on neonatal mortality from HBS implementation has not yet been evaluated.…”

Evaluation of SIMESON, A Training Program to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Pregnant Women and Newborn in Different Health Care Facilities of Northern Bangladesh

“…All the participants correctly performed the steps regarding the bag and mask ventilation. Similar program assessments that took place in India and Kenya which were strongly acceptable, demonstrated increased con dence, enhanced knowledge, and acquired skills [11]. Performance regarding helping baby breathe also increased from baseline to evaluation.…”

“…The SIMESON project uses a mobile unit with two health workers speci cally trained in medical simulation who make regular visits to each peripheral health facility to provide practical training in essential procedures. The overall aims of the project are to save the lives of mothers and their babies at birth in four domains: knowledge about routine care of post-partum for the mother, helping baby breathe [10], essential care for every baby [11,12], and management of bleeding after birth [13,14]. Additionally, the program involved specialized technologies (e.g.…”

Effect of newborn bathing training with the swaddled and tub bathing methods given to primiparous pregnant women on the mother's experience, satisfaction and newborn's stress during the first bathing of the newborn at home: A mixed method study

“…Mothers who are discharged home in a short time of 24 hr with their babies after a healthy birth process have to deal with newborn care along with the challenges of the postpartum process. Mothers may have inadequacies in meeting the needs of their babies as a result of physical and emotional effects caused by birth and need education and support in order to maintain the care of their newborn (Castalino, Nayak, & D'Souza, 2014;Herrero-Morín, Fernández, Bello, González, & González, 2015;Kristensen, Simonsen, Trillingsgaard, Pontoppidan, & Kronborg, 2018;Öztürk & Erci, 2016;Shafaie, Mirghafourvand, & Bagherinia, 2017;Thukral et al, 2015;Yılmaz, Bayar, & Esenay, 2018). In this context, in our study, it was considered that mothers' worries about newborn care would be reduced in the postpartum period and a faster transition to motherhood role would be ensured with bath education which has an important place in newborn care and is provided to pregnant women who will experience motherhood for the first time in accordance with the new literature.…”