What happens after helping babies breathe training is complete? A prospective cohort study of Nigerian health care workers

Abstract

Background: Neonatal mortality remains disturbingly high in Nigeria. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is an evidence- based neonatal resuscitation (NR) educational program designed to teach NR in resourcelimited areas. There is no information in Nigeria on what happens after health careworkers (HCWs) complete HBB training.Aim: To determine if HCWs who received HBB training utilized the acquired knowledge and skills (K&S) and engaged in any ongoing peer training. In addition, we studied HCW turnover one year after HBB training completion.Subjects and Methods: Seventy-two HCWs were trained in HBB, and surveyed 1 year later using a 10-item questionnaire. Data analysis used measures of central tendency and t testing.Results: Most HCWs reported the use of HBB daily. The commonest NR method used was suctioning (89.5 %), followed by drying and positioning (86%), however there was 0% reported use of bagmask- ventilation. Most HCWs (98%) reported sharing K&S with colleagues. Following training,100% HBB trainers remained at original employment but 53% HBB providers moved to new employment and did not utilize their HBB K&S at their new employment site.Conclusion: Frequent, brief, refresher practice sessions and implementation of a system for training new hires may improve HCW readiness for NR and their peer mentoring capabilities. Ensuring adequate equipment availability is critical for HCW to utilize acquired K&S. Significant HCW turnover occurred within a year of training. Trained HCW who left to new employment subsequently had limited impact at their new place of employment.