Identifying factors associated with neonatal resuscitation skills among nurses and midwives in Tanzania, sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with nurses’ and midwives’ skills in performing neonatal resuscitation. METHOD: Health facility-based analytical cross-sectional study design was employed from January 2021 to April 2021 among 340 nurses and midwives selected by multistage random sampling technique. An observation checklist was used to collect data. Data were coded and entered into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with nurse/midwives’ skills in neonatal resuscitation. RESULTS: Among 340 nurses and midwives, 141 (41%) had adequate skills in neonatal resuscitation. After adjusting for confounders, factors associated with adequate skills were; age of the midwives (20–34 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.082, p < 0.008) and 35–49 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.087, p < 0.010)); work experience (worked 4–6 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.905, p < 0.003) and > 10 years and above (adjusted odds ratio = 12.825, p < 0.000)); district hospitals (adjusted odds ratio = 1.544, p = 0.032); distance from place of residence (6–10 km (adjusted odds ratio = 0.090, p < 0.001) and > 16 km (adjusted odds ratio = 0.049, p < 0.001)); number of midwives per shift, ⩾ 4 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.396, p = 0.012) and number of deliveries per day (6–10 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.385, p < 0.031), 11–20 (adjusted odds ratio = 2.693, p < 0.016) and > 20 delivery per day (adjusted odds ratio = 6.007, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Less than half of the observed nurses and midwives had adequate skills in neonatal resuscitation. Nurses and midwives who were younger, less experienced (<4 years of work experience), and work in small, lower volume settings with fewer colleagues and limited births (dispensaries, fewer than four nurses and midwives per shift, less than six deliveries per day) were less likely to have adequate skills in neonatal resuscitation. Knowledge gained from this study may provide future research related to a cost-effective strategy to empower nurses and midwives in neonatal resuscitation.