Publications

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among midwives at Kampala International University Hospitalto assess their knowledge and practices on neonatal resuscitation. A sample size of 30 midwives was used. Midwiveswere selected by using a systematic sampling technique including all midwives who work in the maternity ward andneonatal intensive care unit. More than half 16(53.3%) of the midwives were between 20 – 30 years, and only 1(3.3%)was above 50 years of age. All 30(100%) of the respondents were females. Half 15(50%) of the midwives were enrolledwith a certificate in midwifery, 9(30%) were registered midwives, 3(10%) were certificate holders in comprehensivenursing and another 3(10%) were Bachelor holders in nursing sciences. The majority of the midwives 25(83.3%) hadlast trained in neonatal resuscitation at the nursing school, 3(10%) had last trained in a workshop while only 2(6.7%)had last trained in a CME/CNE. Almost all midwives were knowledgeable about the resuscitation steps of anewborn. The respondents had some knowledge of how to place a face mask on the neonate’s face. The majority ofthe midwives 18(60%) evaluated respirations, heart rate, and color of the neonate while 12(40%) were not observedto monitor heart rate. Three quarters 21(70%) of the midwives were observed correctly providing positive pressureventilation with a resuscitation bag with supplemental oxygen, and a third 9(30%) did not administer epinephrinewith continued ventilation and chest compression. The maternity and neonatal intensive care units were equippedwith almost all the required resuscitation equipment except the cardiac monitor, carbon dioxide detector(capnograph), and naloxone hydrochloride injection. The researcher concluded that the majority of the midwiveshad substantial good knowledge of neonatal resuscitation and despite the good knowledge, a significant proportionof them 12(40%) lacked skilled practices on resuscitation.