Assessment of neonatal resuscitation skills among healthcare workers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal resuscitation is key in preventing neonatal mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the competence of healthcare workers in basic neonatal resuscitation at six hospitals in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of healthcare workers based on the labor and delivery wards. RESULTS: Of the 46 healthcare workers who were assessed with a written examination and skills assessment, 85% were nurses. While 46% were able to pass the written examination, none demonstrated all required steps of newborn resuscitation during the skills assessment by simulation. No significant associations were present between the pass rate of the written examination and years of experience, role, or prior in-service training. All of the hospitals had the basic equipment required for neonatal resuscitation. CONCLUSION: There is a need to further develop the neonatal resuscitation skills among healthcare workers in the labor and delivery wards in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.