The Sources of Knowledge on Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care Protocol (EINC) and its Impact on the Extent of its Implementation in the Hospitals in Iligan City

Abstract

Abstract

The DOH embarked on Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) to address neonatal deaths in the country. This descriptive correlation study was conducted to determine the impact of the sources of knowledge on EINC to the extent of implementation of the EINC protocol in the three areas: labor room (LR), delivery room (DR), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of hospitals in Iligan City. A sample of 62 staff nurses (86.5%) and midwives (14.5%) were purposively selected from two private hospitals and three public hospitals in Iligan City. A three-part structured questionnaire was utilized to carry out the rationale of the study. The results revealed that the staffs were generally applying the steps/procedures in the EINC protocol in their respective units. The staff’s primary sources of knowledge on EINC were the trainings and seminars provided by the hospitals through its Nursing Service Offices, heads and colleagues. The study further revealed significant relationship between these sources of knowledge on EINC and the extent of its implementation in the delivery room and nursery room of the five hospitals in Iligan City. The findings underscore the need for healthcare institutions to strengthen their information drive on EINC which can result to its increased implementation which can in turn lead to improved quality of care delivered by health workers attending to institutional deliveries. This may involve engaging and empowering the staff; providing education on best practices and existing deficiencies; discussing potential barriers and introducing the EINC protocol through focused training; and establishing a mechanism for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.