Assessment of Knowledge of Nursing Personnel Regarding Neonatal Resuscitation

Abstract

Neonatal resuscitation (NR) skills are essential for all health care providers who are involved in the care of newborns. A difficult delivery can result in perinatal asphyxia if appropriate resuscitation is not available. Knowledge regarding neonatal resuscitation is therefore crucial for the reduction of early neonatal deaths and infant mortality rate. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge about neonatal resuscitation among nursing staff working at a tertiary care hospital. Fifty nurses from four units, i.e., Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Nursery, Clean Labor Room and Septic Labor Room were purposely selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The maximum attainable knowledge score of 22 was further categorized as poor, average, good, very good and excellent grades on the basis of the scores obtained by the subjects. Majority of the nurses (98%) were female. Sixty eight percent were diploma holders. It was found that only 6% of the subjects were having poor whereas 26% were possessing average knowledge about neonatal resuscitation. Around one fourth (28%) of the subjects were having very good knowledge. Equal number (20%) of the subjects was having good and excellent knowledge about neonatal resuscitation. It was concluded that there is a need to organize in-service education programs to sensitize the nurses regarding neonatal resuscitation.