Assessment of Availability of Human Resource and Services for Newborn Care in Primary Health Care Facilities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The majority of neonatal deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Availability of qualified human resources along with maternal and child health services are essential to curb these deaths. The study objective was to determine the availability of human resources and services for newborn care in Primary Health Care facilities in Jos North Local Government Area.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Primary Health Care facilities offering immediate newborn care. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 67 and 60 healthcare workers in 30 public and 30 private facilities respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis.

Results: The majority, 85(66.9%) of the healthcare workers were Community Health Extension Workers. There were 16(12.6%) midwives and 1(0.8%) medical doctors. In-service training on newborn care had been received by 69(54.3%) respondents, while 22(17.3%) respondents had received training on essential newborn care. Only twenty (33.3%) facilities discharge mother and newborn 24 hours after normal delivery. Postnatal services provided included early initiation of breastfeeding by 116(91.3%) respondents. Preventive services included chlorhexidine cord care given by 86(67.7%) respondents while 27(21.3%) and 26(20.5%) gave erythromycin/ tetracycline eye prophylaxis and vitamin k1 respectively.

Conclusion: Community Health Extension Workers were the major human resource for immediate newborn care; further research to determine their knowledge and skills are needed. The preventive neonatal services were few. More preventive care and 24-hour postnatal care are advocated as strategies to improve newborn outcomes.