Utilization of Life-Saving Skills Among Nurses and Midwives at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Maternal morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy and childbirth have a significant impact on women, their families, and communities in low-income countries. This study aimed at exploring the level of awareness on Life-Saving Skills (LSS), LSS practices employed, barriers to implementation, and strategies to promote effectiveness of LSS practice. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design and a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to survey 154 nurses and midwives in a hospital in Nigeria with 150 maternity beds, about their “awareness” of LSS, LSS practices, and what they consider barriers to implementation and strategies to promote effectiveness of LSS practice. Results demonstrated that while 87.0% of the respondents were aware of LSS, the majority reported numerous challenges in implementing LSS. These challenges included: a shortage of skilled birth attendants (93.5%); negative attitudes of healthcare providers (79.2%); inadequate equipment and supplies (81.8%); and inadequate training for midwives (77.9%). Respondents also recommended some strategies to promote effectiveness of LSS, including provision of life-saving skills equipment (84.4%); training and retraining of personnel in LSS (88.3%); and increasing accessibility of LSS services for childbearing women (97.4%). The study concluded that although there is a high level of awareness of LSS, the midwives and nurses faced many challenges that hindered the utilization of LSS. It is recommended that multilateral collaboration be used in the study setting to overcome the limitations to utilize LSS.