title: Improving essential obstetric and newborn care in resource-poor countries.
abstract: Skilled birth attendance (SBA) and essential obstetric care (EOC) are key strategies for reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity globally. Lack of adequately trained competent staff is a key barrier to achieving this. We assessed the effectiveness of a new package of 'Life Saving Skills - Essential Obstetric and Newborn Care Training' (LSS-EOC and NC) designed specifically around the UN signal functions in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Among 600 healthcare providers (nurse-midwives, doctors, clinical officers and specialists), knowledge about the diagnosis and management of complications of pregnancy and childbirth as well as newborn care significantly increased (p < 0.001). There was measurable improvement in skills (p < 0.001), and participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the training. The training package was found to meet the needs of healthcare providers, increased awareness of the need for evidence-based care and encouraged teamwork.
authors.affiliation: Whythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ameh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adegoke
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kongnyuy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dornan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Falconer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van den Broek
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards