Evaluating the implementation of helping babies survive program to improve newborn care conditiona

The main reason of newborn mortalities in low- and middle-income countries is due to the lack of skilled caregivers in providing essential care for babies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of helping babies survive (HBS) program to improve newborn care condition in Isfahan, Iran.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the labor and midwifery wards of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan. Convenience sampling method was used for all healthy newborns who weighed >1500 g. First, the samples were selected for the control group. Then, the Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for Every Baby training courses were held over for ward nurses and midwives. Then, the samples of the intervention group were selected. The research tools consisted of demographic characteristic questionnaire, caregiver performance evaluation checklist, and breastfeeding registration checklist. SPSS software version 16 was used for data analysis.

A total of 130 newborns were divided into control (n = 65) and intervention groups (n = 65). The average time of umbilical cord clamping increased from 13.85 to 61.48 s, and the average duration of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby increased from 11.75 to 60.47 min. The mean of early initiation of breastfeeding improved during the 1^st h and the 1^st day of the birth. The rate of neonatal hypothermia in the intervention group decreased sharply.

The implementation of the HBS program can positively impact newborn care condition.