Exploring Factors Influencing Practice of Neonatal Resuscitation with Bag and Mask in Ethiopia: Analysis from 2016 National Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Survey

BACKGROUND: Globally, more than 7 million children die under the age of five and the highest proportion of death is during the first 28 days of life. For babies who do not breathe at birth, neonatal resuscitation is critical in reducing intra-partum related neonatal deaths by 30%. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on the provision of neonatal resuscitation in Ethiopia. So, this study aimed to assess health facilities provision of neonatal resuscitation with bag and mask and its factors among asphyxiated newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data used were from the Ethiopian 2016 Emergency Obstetric Newborn Care survey, conducted in 3,804 health facilities providing maternal and newborn health services. The analysis included neonatal resuscitation with bag and mask in the previous 3 months before the survey. Descriptive statistics, simple and multivariable regression analyses were performed using SPSS-21 version. RESULTS: The analysis findings show that 72.2% of the health facilities were providing neonatal resuscitation with bag and mask. The result showed that hospitals (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.05, 7.49]), health-care providers not trained in neonatal resuscitation (AOR: 0.64; 95% CI [0.42, 0.99]) and availability of essential equipment (AOR: 1.32; 95% CI [1.15, 1.51]) were more likely to practice neonatal resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Overall practice of health facilities on neonatal resuscitation with bag and mask was at 72.2%. Type of facility, providers trained in neonatal resuscitation and availability of essential equipments were independently affecting the practice of neonatal resuscitation. Incorporating competency-based training, refresher training, and clinical mentorship will improve the practice.