Abstract
Objective:To analyze the knowledge of the doctors dealing with pediatric patients about neonatal resuscitation.Methods:This was a cross sectional study conducted at The Lahore General Hospital over one year. Total 137 doctors related to pediatrics with different job descriptions were enrolled and requested to fill a questionnaire proforma regarding their knowledge about basic equipment required and about neonatal resuscitation steps. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.Results:Out of 137 participants, majority (71%) had >2 years of experience in pediatrics and 52.5% had higher postgraduate qualification. Neonatal resuscitation workshop was attended by 57% doctors. In resuscitation of newborns at the time of delivery, resuscitating doctors were assisted by nurse in 50%, by junior doctor in 35%, paramedic staff 11% and it was done by single doctor in 4% cases. Oxygen (central or O2 cylinder) and warmer facilities were available in 90% and 82% of health facilities respectively. Majority (86%) of participants were of view that every neonate must be attended at birth. Not a single doctor followed all the standard steps of neonatal resuscitation although 90% had knowledge about resuscitation equipment and common resuscitation drugs.Conclusion:Pediatric health care professionals had knowledge about neonatal resuscitation but there are gaps in the practical application. There is a strong need of frequent neonatal resuscitation workshops for improving neonatal outcomes.
Highlights
The birth process is the most hazardous period of life and there are maximum number of deaths in this period as compared to deaths in all other phases of life.[1]
After taking ethical approval from Institutional Review Board, a self-administered, close-ended questionnaire about the neonatal resuscitation knowledge was distributed to pediatric health care providers including pediatricians /doctors trained and working in neonatal unit or general pediatric ward and they were asked to complete questionnaire which was in two parts as; demographic information and assessment of their knowledge
Qualification including postgraduate diploma or degree, experience in pediatrics, neonatal resuscitation (NR) workshop attended and their Knowledge regarding basic steps of NR; clinical parameters of NR management (Airway, Breathing, Chest Compression, Drugs, Reassessment), equipment required for resuscitation (20 cc Syringe, bulb sucker, suction catheter, nasogastric tube, mask of different sizes, ambu bag, laryngoscope with straight blade, endotracheal tubes of different sizes), drugs required for resuscitation, and follow up assessment and care provided were recorded
Summary
The birth process is the most hazardous period of life and there are maximum number of deaths in this period as compared to deaths in all other phases of life.[1]. It is an ironic fact that most health care providers including doctors and nurses are inadequately trained.[12] In order to create change and decrease neonatal mortality the quality improvement initiative is vital through effective neonatal resuscitation.[13] There is scarcity of research on this topic in our country. In this context, we planned this study to identify the knowledge gaps or appropriateness among pediatric health care providers in NR at a tertiary care hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
