Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Nursing Staff Regarding Immediate Care after Birth in Kirkuk City Hospitals

Background and aim: The first hours days and weeks after child birth are a dangerous time for mother and newborn most death occur during or immediately after childbirth. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and practices of nursing staff regarding immediate care after birth in Kirkuk city hospitals Materials and method: A descriptive study was carried out from first October 2013 to first October 2014. The study carried out at two hospitals in Kirkuk city. The study sample consists of (50) midwives and nurses. A questionnaire was comprised of two parts: demographic data and questionnaire to evaluate the midwives knowledge regarding mother and newborn baby care immediately after birth and observational checklist to evaluate the midwives and nurses practice. Content validity was determined by presenting the items to panel of. Reliability of the questionnaire (tool) Results: the study finding indicates that there was adequate knowledge of midwives –nurse immediately after birth and accepted practice. Conclusion: the study concludes that midwives and nurses have adequate knowledge regarding mother and newborn baby immediately after birth. Midwives and nurses have accepted practice during providing care for mother and newborn baby immediately after birth. Recommendation: training courses inside and outside country for midwives and nurses about giving care to mother and newborn baby to improve the quality of nursing care that provided to mothers and newborn immediately after birth. Keywords: midwives-nurses, knowledge, practice