Maternal and neonatal health care knowledge among yemeni community midwives: A community based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Maternal and neonatal health indicators in Yemen are among the worst in the world. Community Based Maternal and Neonatal Care (CBMNC) program aims to accelerate Yemen efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality through strengthening the role of Community Midwives (CMWs). This study aimed at assessing CMWs knowledge as a part of the evaluation of the CBMNC program before its national scale-up. Materials and Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional study in a purposively selected districts where CBMNC program is being implemented. Accessibility sampling of 389 CMWs who: 1) received the standard CBMNC training; 2) were permanently residing in the targeted districts for at least 2 years; and 3) provided their consent were included in the study. Data collection on antenatal care; delivery care; immediate neonatal care; postnatal care and treatment of complications were conducted (April-June 2014). CMWs knowledge, score was calculated for the correct answers for each knowledge area and for all areas combined (overall knowledge score). Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS -version 22. Results: Medium level of knowledge was prevailing (72%). Minority was scored high (5.9%). Disproportionate knowledge levels were encountered among the different maternal and neonatal areas; being lowest for antenatal care and highest for newborn care. Correct answers were identified by very low percentages for what is included in the postpartum examination (0.8%); Partograph use (6.2%); Successful intervention to reduce maternal mortality (8.7%) and what skilled providers should tell the mother about newborn care (17.2%). Conclusion: It was concluded that the majority of CMWs (72%) had medium level of overall knowledge score. Antenatal care knowledge was the least whereas newborn care has the highest scored area. The need to address such gap in the training and refresher courses is necessary for CMWs to have an impact on the maternal and child health care in Yemen.