Is the WHO Guide on Essential Practice of Postpartum Newborn Care Used in a District Health Care Facility?

Abstract

Background: It is unclear whether algorithms with evidence-based interventions are used in a setting where the work load is high and qualified staff is scarce to identify neonates with life-threatening conditions.

Methods: The nurse-midwives' knowledge and opinion about the World Health Organization (WHO) guide on postpartum newborn care were assessed in a hospital in Tanzania before and after training. Their adherence to this guide was evaluated by analysing 100 neonatal records.

Results: Before training, 44% of the nurse-midwives were familiar with the WHO guide. All nurse-midwives supported the implementation of the guide. In all, 21% of the postpartum record forms were fully completed. Risk factors for illness were missed in 27%.

Conclusion: Nurse-midwives' expertise in the WHO guide on postpartum newborn care cannot be taken for granted. The complexity of this guide demands expertise and makes its use time-consuming and thus its practicability disputable in a setting with limited resources.

Keywords: algorithms; delivery of health care; midwifery; newborn; postpartum period; quality of health care.