Educational impact of a hospital-based neonatal resuscitation program in Ghana.
OBJECTIVE
To assess midwives' baseline cognitive knowledge of evidence-based neonatal resuscitation practices, and short- and long-term educational effects of teaching a neonatal resuscitation program in a hospital setting in West Africa.


METHODS
All midwives (n=14) on the labor ward at Ridge Hospital in Ghana were trained using materials modified from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). This training program included didactic and practical teaching and was assessed by direct observation within delivery rooms and written pre- and post-test evaluations. Written and practical modules 9-12 months after the initial training session were also conducted to assess retention of NRP knowledge and skills.


RESULTS
Fourteen midwives received NRP training on the labor ward. Both written and practical evaluation of neonatal resuscitation skills increased after training. The percentage of items answered correctly on the written examination increased from 56% pre-training to 71% post-training (p<0.01). The percentage of items performed correctly on the practical evaluation of skills increased from 58% pre-training to 81% (p<0.01). These results were sustained 9-12 months after the initial training session.


CONCLUSIONS
After receiving NRP training, neonatal resuscitation knowledge and skills increased among midwives in a hospital in West Africa and were sustained over a 9-month period. This finding demonstrates the sustained effectiveness of a modified neonatal resuscitation training program in a resource constrained setting.
Bookman
Laurel
L
Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave., MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. laurel.bookman@cchmc.org
Engmann
Cyril
C
Srofenyoh
Emmanuel
E
Enweronu-Laryea
Christabel
C
Owen
Medge
M
Randolph
Greg
G
Price
Wayne
W
Barker
Pierre
P
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004493:Education / Q000592:standards*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D012153:Retention, Psychology