Health Workers' Experiences of Neonatal Mortality Prevention Education Using Digital Learning Platforms in Nigeria: A...

Neonatal mortality remains a critical public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. This is due to numerous factors, including limitations in health worker education to provide essential care at birth. Improving the skills of available health workers could affect the quality of health care and reduce neonatal mortality. This qualitative study describes the experience of frontline health workers who participated in essential care education using digital learning platforms.

Frontline health workers in 4 secondary healthcare institutions in Yobe, Gombe, and Borno states in Nigeria participated in focus group discussions and key informant interview after educational sessions delivered remotely and skills practice using a neonatal simulator providing digital feedback. Qualitative data collection sought both personal insights and group-level dynamics regarding the participants' educational and clinical experiences. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

The study findings show that the participants learned essential newborn care practices like skin-to-skin contact and delaying cord clamping. They also reported that these new skills and practices improved how they care for newborns, including enabling timely and effective resuscitation at birth. However, challenges such as limited access to educational simulators and issues with internet connectivity acted as barriers to education; workload and equipment shortages limited implementation in the clinical setting.

Health care workers were able to learn improved techniques for newborn care and resuscitation through digital technologies. However, further improved outcomes will require addressing technical and structural challenges that affect the implementation process.