Peer-reviewed article
Neonatal resuscitation skills retention among healthcare providers one year after implementation of in situ low-dose high-frequency simulations using innovative tools across two regions in Tanzania.
Kalabamu FS, Daudi V, Moshiro R, Kamala B, Mdoe P et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Healthcare providers in Tanzania were trained in neonatal resuscitation skills using simulation-based training as part of the Safer Births Bundle of Care programme. One year after training, 77% of 226 providers retained their skills, though average scores dropped from 92.5% to 82.3%. Male providers were less likely to retain skills than female providers. The study suggests that while most providers maintained basic competency, additional support is needed to sustain skills over time.
Key points
- 77% of 226 healthcare providers retained neonatal resuscitation skills one year after training
- Mean skills score declined from 92.5% at baseline to 82.3% after one year (difference of 10.2 percentage points)
- Male healthcare providers were significantly less likely to retain skills than female providers (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.90)
- Training used in situ self-regulated individual skill training with innovative simulation tools
- Study conducted across 12 labour ward facilities in two regions of Tanzania
Limitations
The study measures simulated skills performance, which may not fully reflect actual clinical performance during real neonatal emergencies. The reasons for skills decline and sex-based differences in retention are not explored in depth.
Abstract
Background The Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) was introduced in five regions in Tanzania to improve the quality of care around birth. Among the interventions was an initiative to train healthcare providers on neonatal resuscitation following the Helping Babies Breathe curriculum, using innovative simulation tools. Objectives This study aimed to assess simulated neonatal resuscitation skills retention and associated factors one year after implementation. Methods A longitudinal study among healthcare providers working in the labour wards of 12 facilities in two regions undergoing SBBC implementation. Healthcare providers were trained and evaluated at baseline and one year after implementation of in situ self-regulated individual skill training. A paired t-test was used to compare the mean difference in skills scores, while factors associated with skills retention were assessed using a modified Poisson regression analysis. Results Among 226 participants, 174 (77%) retained skills one year after the implementation. The mean skills score at baseline was 92.5% compared to 82.3% after one year, with a mean difference of 10.2 (95% CI: 8.7-11.7); p < 0.001. Sex was independently associated with skills retention; males were less likely to retain skills than females, with an adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) = 0.90 (95%CI: 0.86-0.97); p = 0.02. Conclusion The majority of healthcare providers retained simulated neonatal resuscitation skills. There was an overall mean skills drop compared to baseline, highlighting the need to strengthen the approaches supporting long-term skills retention. Barriers to and facilitators of sustained effects and scalability should be explored.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- In situ low-dose high-frequency simulation training using innovative tools, based on the Helping Babies Breathe curriculum
- Population
- Healthcare providers (n=226) working in labour wards across 12 facilities in two regions of Tanzania
Key finding
77% of participants retained skills at one year follow-up