Table 2 Health worker knowledge of evidence-based intrapartum and newborn care practices (n = 92 skilled health personnel)
From: Quality of maternal and newborn health care at private hospitals in Iraq: a cross-sectional study
Health worker characteristics | |
Years working in current position [Mean(SD)] | 6 (8) |
Currently working in more than one health facility | 96% (92) |
Currently working in both public and private health facilities | 51% (49) |
Received refresher or in-service training on maternal and newborn health in the last 2 years | 69% (66) |
Health worker knowledge | |
Active management of the third stage of labor | |
Administer uterotonic within 1 min after birth | 62% (57) |
Check uterine tone and massage if soft | 75% (69) |
Essential newborn care | |
Drying of baby | 79% (73) |
Ensure baby is breathing/crying | 71% (65) |
Provide thermal protection (skin to skin) | 75% (69) |
Ensure mother initiates breastfeeding | 50% (46) |
Assess/examine newborn within 1 h | 42% (39) |
Weigh newborn | 57% (52) |
Cut cord with sterile blade / scissors | 64% (59) |
Vitamin K injection | 49% (45) |
Newborn resuscitation | |
Call for help | 91% (84) |
Explain to mother the condition of baby | 19% (17) |
Place newborn face up | 27% (25) |
Wrap or cover baby | 40% (37) |
Position baby’s head so neck is slightly extended | 21% (19) |
Suction mouth and nose if airway blocked | 83% (76) |
Start ventilation using bag and mask | 83% (76) |
Care for low birthweight newborns | |
Ensure that the baby is warm with skin-to-skin with mother (kangaroo technique) | 46% (42) |
Ensure baby is warm by placing baby in incubator/radiant warmer | 74% (68) |
Provide extra support to establish breastfeeding | 44% (40) |
Monitor ability to breastfeed | 59% (54) |
Assess for jaundice | 37% (34) |
Assess need for oxygen supplementation | 65% (60) |
Monitor baby for the first 24 h | 46% (42) |
Examination of newborn prior to discharge | |
Baby breastfeeding well | 87% (80) |
Proper positioning for breastfeeding | 55% (51) |
Color tone of baby | 82% (75) |
Signs of infection (fever) | 35% (32) |
Difficulty breathing | 87% (80) |
Eye swelling or discharge | 13% (12) |
Umbilical cord | 45% (41) |
Baby’s weight | 41% (38) |
Alertness of baby | 59% (54) |
Examination of mother prior to discharge | |
Vaginal bleeding | 99% (91) |
Signs of infection (fever) | 50% (46) |
Blood pressure | 90% (83) |
Abdominal tenderness | 65% (60) |
Size and firmness of uterus | 75% (69) |
Deep vein thrombosis | 17% (16) |
Breast engorgement | 25% (23) |
Signs of anemia | 49% (45) |
Lochia (vaginal discharge) | 68% (63) |
Signs of depression | 9% (8) |
Dribbling urine | 71% (65) |
Cough or breathing difficulties | 31% (29) |
Signs of malnutrition or food insecurity | 25% (23) |