Neonatal resuscitation skills acquisition among healthcare providers after Helping Babies Breathe simulation training using improved tools across two regions in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2025-03-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Advances in Simulation
Abstract
Introduction Neonatal mortality is high in middle- and low-income countries, including Tanzania. Most of these
deaths are preventable and linked to suboptimal quality of care. In this study, we assessed neonatal resuscitation skills
acquisition after a 1-day Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) simulation training using improved tools and associated factors
among healthcare providers in 12 facilities in Tanzania.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers working in the labor wards in selected
health facilities. The training was conducted in situ using the HBB second edition curriculum with improved simula-
tion tools (Neonatalie Live simulator, NeoBeat heart rate meter, and Upright resuscitator). After training, skills acqui-
sition was evaluated using Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation. Participants who scored an average of 75%
or above were considered passing. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the proportion of staff who passed
the evaluation by different demographic categories. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare mean scores
among demographic categories. Factors associated with neonatal resuscitation skills acquisition were analyzed using
modified Poisson regression.
Results A total of 481 participants were enrolled in the study. Among these, 420 (87.3%) passed the skills evaluation
on the first attempt. The overall mean skills score was 92.4%. In bivariable analysis, health facility level, region, age,
and experience working in the labor ward were associated with passing skills evaluation on the first attempt. How-
ever, after controlling other variables in a multivariable model, none of the factors showed a statistically significant
association.
Conclusion In-situ, HBB simulation training using improved training tools effectively imparts neonatal resuscitation
skills among healthcare providers. Participants learned skills similarly regardless of their different demographic charac-
teristics, including level of education and working experience. Due to its potential to impart skills, frequent simulation
training using improved tools may be considered for scaling up in other health facilities
Description
Keywords
Citation
Kalabamu, F.S., Daudi, V., Moshiro, R., Kamala, B., Mdoe, P., Bishanga, D., Ersdal, H. and Mpembeni, R., 2025. Neonatal resuscitation skills acquisition among healthcare providers after Helping Babies Breathe simulation training using improved tools across two regions in Tanzania. Advances in Simulation, 10(1), p.6.