Evaluation of Care of The Newborn Immediately after Caesarean Section Delivery at the Tamale Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Majority of neonatal deaths that occur in the first day of life could be prevented by the presence of a skilled attendant at birth. This is however lacking in many instances. In this prospective, cross-sectional study, health care providers attending Caesarian deliveries were covertly evaluated by using scheduled proforma designed based on standard practice guidelines. Six enumerators were assigned from 1st May-31st May,2017 to observe the practice of the providers from setting up of trolley to the tenth minute post-delivery. Actions and omissions of vital procedures were entered onto the proforma. Forty-one (41) providers were observed in successive Caesarean deliveries during the study period. In 68% of deliveries the baby cried immediately after birth. About 80% of providers didnt scrub before receiving the baby. Resuscitation equipment was pretested in 97.6% of cases and all babies were dried immediately. Immediate skin to skin with mother was done in 7.3% and delayed cord clamping in 21.9% of deliveries. In assessing the APGAR score, 44% didnt check the heart rate and 82.9% didnt check reflex irritability. This study revealed gaps in the care of newborns immediately after Caesarean delivery. Measures should be put in place to rectify them to improve quality of care.