An evaluation of an education programme on neonatal care for midwives
The education programme being evaluated was designed to improve the knowledge and practice of midwives working in Midwife Obstetric Units in the Southern Cape Peninsula. The programme was started at the beginning of 1987 and consisted of a number of activities including 4 two week courses in January and February 1987. In this evaluation only the knowledge and practice of the midwives were assessed. Knowledge was assessed by using a multiple choice question paper and this was done in 1987 and 1991. Practice was evaluated by means of chart review using a data collection sheet which was developed for this purpose. Specific criteria (observations, documentation, problem identification, management and overall score) were used to evaluate the records of babies transferred to hospital by the midwives. The change in practice over the periods 1983 to 1986, and 1986 to 1989 was assessed. The results showed that the knowledge of the midwives improved significantly following the two week courses at the beginning of 1987. The mean test scores of the midwives in 1991 were significantly lower than those at the end of the courses, but in real terms, only 4%. (83% compared with 87%) There was a highly significant improvement in the midwives' practice. The proportion of records with scores of less than 33% for the criteria measured, decreased significantly, while the proportion of records scoring more than 66i. increased significantly. This trend was already present in the 1983 to 1986 period, but appeared to have accelerated in the 1986 to 1989 period. The programme was able to improve and maintain the knowledge of the midwives at a significantly higher level than before the programme started. The practice of the midwives was also significantly better.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health