Is the WHO guide on essential practice of postpartum newborn care used in a district health care facility?

Reinhard Klinkott, Venance Mushi, Gaudens Komba, Carsten Krüger, Andreas Schultz, August Stich, Ansgar Stüfe, Martin Weber, Stephan Ehrhardt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: It is unclear whether algorithms with evidence-based interventions are used in a setting where the work load is high and qualified staff is scarce to identify neonates with life-threatening conditions. Methods: The nurse-midwives' knowledge and opinion about the World Health Organization (WHO) guide on postpartum newborn care were assessed in a hospital in Tanzania before and after training. Their adherence to this guide was evaluated by analysing 100 neonatal records. Results: Before training, 44% of the nurse-midwives were familiar with the WHO guide. All nurse-midwives supported the implementation of the guide. In all, 21% of the postpartum record forms were fully completed. Risk factors for illness were missed in 27%. Conclusion: Nurse-midwives' expertise in the WHO guide on postpartum newborn care cannot be taken for granted. The complexity of this guide demands expertise and makes its use time-consuming and thus its practicability disputable in a setting with limited resources.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)436-445
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of tropical pediatrics
Volume62
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Algorithms
  • Delivery of health care
  • Midwifery
  • Newborn
  • Postpartum period
  • Quality of health care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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