SKILLS OF NURSE-MIDWIVES IN-BASIC NEWBORN RESUSCITATION AT ELGEYO-MARAKWET COUNTY HOSPITALS

Elgeyo-Marakwet County has a neonatal mortality rate of 62/1000 live births which are higher than the national mortality rate of 22/1000 live births in Kenya. To determine the knowledge and of basic neonatal resuscitation among nurse midwives Method a cross sectional study was carried out at 9 health care facilities in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. A sample of 78 out of 94 nurse-midwives was selected using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using Observation Checklists based on the Help Baby breathe tool. The performance on skills was used on mannequin using two scenarios. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21. Skills were assessed as either achieved or not achieved. Chi square and Fishers Exact were used to test for association between categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered significant. Results Majority of participants (60) 77% were diploma holders, graduates were (2) 3%. Only (44) 56% received in-service training on newborn resuscitation. Average Skills on baby born through meconium was 76% and Baby born and does not cry when cord is cut score 85%. Performance on skills gave an average of scored 80%. The skill that was performed best was looking into the baby mouth at 96%. Chi square and Fishers were used to test for association between the characteristics of the nurse-midwives and performance of skills. There was significance difference between in-service training and newborn resuscitation p=0.002.