Evaluation of care of the Newborn in delivery facilities at Osogbo, South-Western Nigeria.

Abstract

In a prospective study of 193 consecutive neonates brought to the immunization clinic for vaccination at the State Hospital, Osogbo, evaluation of the neonatal care received at the facility, where the neonates were delivered was conducted. Information concerning the place of delivery of the neonates, the specifics of the care received at birth such as measurement of birth weight, the time interval between delivery and breast feeding and enquiries as to whether or not Vitamin K was administered were obtained. The biodata of all the subjects were also obtained. One hundred and fifty five (80.3%), 12(31.6%), 9(23.7%), 5(13.2), 4(10.5%), 3(7.9%), 3(7.9%), 1(2.6%), and 1(2.6%) of the 193 babies studied were delivered in the state hospital, government maternities, traditional birth centers, homes, churches, teaching hospital, private hospital, comprehensive health center and in a taxi in cases respectively. All the 159(100.0%) neonates delivered at the State and Teaching hospitals received administration of vitamin k, while all the 34(100.0%) neonates delivered at other health facilities, did not receive vitamin k. The differences between the greater proportion of all the 159(100.0%) neonates delivered at the state and teaching hospital that had their birth weight measurement taken compared with 4(11.8%) of the 34 neonates delivered elsewhere that had their birth weights measured is statistically significant. χ2= 13.75, P= 0.00 (Yate's correction applied). Data on breastfeeding commencement was obtained on 116 of a total 159 delivered at the state and teaching hospitals. Of these 116, eighty five (73.7%) were put to breast on time as against 6(17.6%) of the 34 neonates delivered at the other facilities who were breast fed on time. χ2= 32.21, P= 0.00. Yate's correction applied. These differences are statistically significant. It is concluded that the care of the newborn at non- tertiary maternity units is unsatisfactory. Health workers and birth attendants at maternities, comprehensive health centers, private hospitals and churches, need continuous training in order to ensure optimal care of the newborn in these facilities. The health ministry should also enforce good standards of practice through periodic inspections and assessment of the concerned facilities. Keywords: Evaluation, newborn, care and delivery facilities.Nigerian Hospital Practice Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 3-6