Evaluating Knowledge and Skills Retention of Helping Babies Breathe Training among Trainees over the Period of Time in Kavre, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Helping Babies Breathe and Helping Babies Survive (HBS) programs are designed to develop basic neonatal resuscitation skills and knowledge aimed at the first minutes after birth. The programs were implemented at Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital in Banepa, Kavre, Nepal. This study aimed to evaluate the success of training participants and maintaining their skills over time.

Methods: The programs were implemented at SMAH over three years for staff and students involved in maternal / foetal medicine. Skills and knowledge of 119 participants were evaluated prior to training, after training, and again at five separate time intervals using standardised tests. 

Results: The training resulted in increased scores on knowledge testing from pre-test to post-test. Knowledge retention over time was shown to have a statistically significant decrease from post-test to retest. An objective structured clinical examination A performance did not show statistically significant decrease over time from post-test to retest.  For the objective structured clinical examination B, there was a statistically significant decrease in scores over time from post-test to retest.

Conclusions: The training resulted in a significant improvement in passing scores on knowledge and skills testing. While a statistically significant decrease in scores on testing was seen, the clinical significance of these decreases is questionable. This study shows that with implementation and continued practice, both knowledge and skills for basic neonatal resuscitation can be achieved and maintained.