Factors influencing knowledge and practice on helping babies breathe among skilled birth attendants in rural ares in lake zone in Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundIt is estimated that 1 million babies die each year due to birth asphyxia. Globally, it is approximated that 10 million babies cannot do it by themselves and need assistance. Helping babies breathe is a key component in reducing neonatal mortality due to birth asphyxia.\n\nMethodsA cross-sectional design was used, A total of 330 respondents included in the study. Simple random sampling by lottery was used to select the 2 regions and health facilities. The participants were selected through convenient. Data were collected using standard semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data.\n\nResultsOut of 330 participants, Those who working in hospital and were more likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR= 3.227, P< 0.001) and practice (AOR= 43.807, P<0.001) than those working in Health Centers; Enlored nurses were more likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR= 3.118,P<0.05) than AMO/MD;Those with 1 year and above of experience in labor ward were more likely to have adequate practice(AOR=15.418,P<0.001) than those with less than 1 year of experience in labor ward; those who attended once on neonatal resuscitation training were adequate knowledge (AOR=1.778,P<0.05) than those who had never attended. Those with Enough equipment of neonatal resuscitation had adequate practice (AOR=4.355, P<0.001) than with no enough equipment.\n\nConclusionRegarding the findings of the current study, it was revealed that working facility, Professional/ qualification, and training was significant predictor of knowledge while working facility, experience, and equipment was significant predictor of practice. There is a need to find effective measures on how to reduce those factors which affect knowledge and practice on helping babies breathe.