Newborn Resuscitation Resources in Selected Rural and Urban Primary Healthcare Centres in Enugu State, Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction: Successful neonatal resuscitation involves availability of neonatal resuscitation resources in terms of material and skilled personnel; this is the first and most important step in delivering effective neonatal resuscitation. The study aimed to assess and compare newborn resuscitation resources in terms of materials (availability, types and functionality) and manpower (availability and professional status) in the urban and rural primary healthcare centres in Enugu State, South East Nigeria.

Methods: A Comparative survey design using a multistage sampling technique to select 134 PHC (67 each from both urban and rural area). Data collected by a checklist and a self-structured questionnaire filled by health personnel. Data collection lasted for 12 weeks.

Results: Mucus extractor (rural 88.1%/urban 79.1%) is the most available material for newborn resuscitation. Ventilating devices like Ambu bag, face mask, oral airway, oxygen cylinder etc. are more in the urban than rural. Although, most of the materials are analogue/manual, the urban area has more of electronically/digitally operated materials of which are either fairly or fully functional. The major personnel in both setting (urban 65.7%/rural 85.1%) are Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW); the urban had more of highly skilled professional. Although, some of the personnel in both setting (urban 50.7%/rural 38.8%) rated their skill in newborn resuscitation management as good, majority of them (urban 86.6% / rural 88.1%) had no specialized training on newborn resuscitation. Lack of material (urban 68.7% / rural 80.6%) was a major challenge in newborn resuscitation. There is no significant difference in the availability and functionality but a significant difference in the types of the material and manpower resource.

Conclusion: There is almost same variability of newborn resuscitation resources in the urban and rural area. Adequate resources (material and manpower) should be provided in the PHC in Enugu State this will bring a reduction in the neonatal mortality rate.