A Quality Improvement Project to Improve the Knowledge of Nurses Working at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Pre - and Post - Test Studyl
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Date
2025-10-19
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: The first 28 days of life – the neonatal period – is the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. Globally 2.3 million children died in the first 28 days of life in 2022. Children who die within the first 28 days of birth suffer from conditions and diseases associated with lack of quality care at birth or skilled care and treatment immediately after birth and in the first days of life. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the home to a fragile patient population consisting of babies born prematurely or with congenital anomalies and newborns requiring surgical intervention. These patients need special medical attention and support. The medical staff must provide quality care and implement evidence-based nursing practices to improve outcomes for the neonatal population.
Objective of the study: The aim of this study is to improve the knowledge of NICU nurses by training on common neonatal problems.
Method and Materials: A Quasi Experimental Pre- and Post- Test study design was used to assess knowledge of NICU nurses in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital(TASH). A structured knowledge questionnaire in the form of Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs) was administered to obtain data regarding the knowledge of NICU nurses on common neonatal problems. Statistical analysis included differences in the knowledge scores before, immediately after the training and after 1 year of the training sessions and between the three periods.
Result: A total of 35 NICU nurses were trained on common newborn problems with a majority of female participants(82.9%). Seventeen(48.0%) of the nurses have Bachelor's degree in nursing and 14(40%) have Masters in Neonatal Nursing.The majority of them 14 (40.0%) had over 10 years of nursing experience. The participants' mean knowledge score during pre-test was 6.97 ±1.85 which increased to 9.23 ±1.09 immediately after the training and dropped to 6.94 ±1.51. This increase in mean scores indicates the effectiveness of the training in enhancing participants' performance in the short term.
Conclusion: The training programs are effective and significantly improve knowledge of nurses on common neonatal problems.
Key words: Neonatal Resuscitation, Hypothermia, Training, Pre-test, Post-test
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Keywords
Neonatal Resuscitation Hypothermia Training Pre-test Post-test