Abstract
Introduction: Community Based New Born Care Program (CB-NCP) was piloted in Nepal in order to reach the MDG 4 target, which focuses on decreasing the perinatal mortality. The program focuses the community level and reaches the local doctors, community level health workers and volunteers, educates and trains them with major emphasis to correctly identify and manage birth asphyxia by the use of DeLee suction and bag and mask ventilation.
Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and proficiency gained by the community level (VHW/MCHW, FCHV) and health facility level health workers who participated in a Community Based New Born Care training program.
Methods: Based on CB-NCP curriculum designed by the Child Health Division, two sets of checklists were developed for all levels.The knowledge of the 57 health facility staffs including doctors, 36 VHW/MCHW and 141 FCHV were collected through semi-structure questionnaire and the skill was assessed through the observational checklist with practical hands on bag and mask ventilation in a neonatal manikin.
Results: The knowledge of health workers, VHW/MCHW and FCHV regarding the management of birth asphyxiated baby was 100% (N=57/57), 94% (N=34/36) and 90.8% (N=128/141) respectively. The knowledge of FCHV regarding the management of asphyxiated new born was comparatively less than Health Worker and VHW/MCHW. Similarly, 49.1% (N=28/57) health workers, 50% (N=18/36) VHW/MCHW and 35.5% (N=50/141) FCHV correctly demonstrated the skills of management of asphyxiated newborn.
Conclusions: Further studies are required to finally confirm the effectiveness of the intervention at the community level before implementing the program in other districts.
- © 2011 ERS
