Muhammad Khalid, Aijaz Ali, Samina Nkhalid, Amin Khan, Tauseef Ahmed.
A comparative study of differential knowledge and practice of health care providers regarding essential newborn care.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;4(1):24-7.

Objectives: The main objective of this research was to examine and compare the Knowledge and Practice (K&P) of HCPs regarding Essential Newborn Care (ENC) in the Intervention & Non-Intervention districts. And to suggest actions to remove hindrances to improve ENC practices. Methods: This comparative descriptive study was conducted from 16st June 2004 to 15th August, 2004 in district Swabi and Nowshera of KPK, as intervention and non-intervention districts, respectively . T arget population included 155 HCPs in district Swabi and 240 HCPs in district Nowshera. Data on K&P regarding ENC was collected through structured, pre-coded and pre-tested questionnaire from a total of randomly selected 75 HCPs (39 from district Swabi and 36 from district Nowshera). Data was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed for descriptive statistics and frequencies. Results: Sixty percent score was set as the minimum level of retention of knowledge and skills of HCPs to be able to practice EMNC, (set by SC/US for EMNC). Mean knowledge score of HCPs in the intervention and non-intervention districts was 35.62 ±0.27% and 26.66 ±0.23%, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean practice score of HCPs in the intervention district averaged 47.16 ±0.22%, which is statistically signicant and 14% greater than that of nonintervention district (p < 0.05), but still it was not up to the minimum expected level of 60%. Conclusion: On comparison, the knowledge & practice of HCPs regarding ENC is signicantly greater in the intervention district than in non-intervention district, but it is not up to the mark (a minimum level score of retention of knowledge and skills of HCPs to be able to practice EMNC). There is decline in retention of knowledge by HCPs, with passage of time. The difference in knowledge & practice of HCPs in the intervention & non-intervention district is attributed to be due to EMNC training, but training should not be considered as the sole factor responsible for converting the knowledge into the desired practice and to produce the outcome(s) of interest, which also requires a supportive environment like refresher trainings, active and supportive supervision, provision of functional equipment and supplies on sustainable basis. In short, EMNC training has been able to achieve its objectives partially as far as knowledge and practice of HCPs regarding Essential Newborn Care (ENC) is concerned

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