Authors : I.O. George, H.A.A. Ugboma and T.K. Nyengidiki
Abstract: Care of the newborn is an aspect of child survival that has received limited attention. The situation is tragic especially as most of these babies are dying due to mainly preventable causes such as birth asphyxia. The aim of this study therefore is to determine care given to the newborn at the delivery room of the facility. This was a prospective study carried out in the Labour Ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Nigeria >2 month period (1st June to 30th July 2011). Direct observation during delivery was utilized using a checklist to assess the quality of care provided during delivery. Practices were graded as not done, badly done and well done. Information obtained included umbilical cord clamping, contact with mother, initiation of breastfeeding, maintenance of cleanliness and resuscitation. Analysis was done using Epi-Info 6 and SPSS 15.0 computer statistical software packages. Descriptive statistics were computed for all relevant data. A total of 90 deliveries were observed in the labour ward of the facility during the study period. Of these, 32 (35.6%) were primiparous and 58 were multiparous. Ambu bags and suction machines were prepared before delivery in 18 (20%) and 44 (48.9%), respectively. All the newborns were kept in a clean place immediately after delivery. Umbilical cord clamping was done in <3 min in 78 (86.7%) of the deliveries. Immediate skin to skin contact was not done in 66 (73.3%) of the deliveries. Mother and baby were kept together in the labour room in 43 (47.8%) of the deliveries. Sixty seven mothers did not initiate breast feeding within 30 min. High standard of hygiene and thermal control measures were noted however, the emergency preparedness and complication readiness practices were substandard. There is need to educate the midwifery team on evidence based newborn practices to improve neonatal outcome.
I.O. George, H.A.A. Ugboma and T.K. Nyengidiki , 2012. Newborn Care in the Delivering Room: An Observational Study from Nigerian. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 7: 30-33.