3 research outputs found
Cost analysis of large-scale implementation of the ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ newborn resuscitation-training program in Tanzania
Background: Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) has become the gold standard globally for training birth-attendants in neonatal resuscitation in low-resource settings in efforts to reduce early newborn asphyxia and mortality. The purpose of this study was to do a first-ever activity-based cost-analysis of at-scale HBB program implementation and initial follow-up in a large region of Tanzania and evaluate costs of national scale-up as one component of a multi-method external evaluation of the implementation of HBB at scale in Tanzania.
Methods: We used activity-based costing to examine budget expense data during the two-month implementation and follow-up of HBB in one of the target regions. Activity-cost centers included administrative, initial training (including resuscitation equipment), and follow-up training expenses. Sensitivity analysis was utilized to project cost scenarios incurred to achieve countrywide expansion of the program across all mainland regions of Tanzania and to model costs of program maintenance over one and five years following initiation.
Results: Total costs for the Mbeya Region were 4,000,000 (around 2,934,793 to 2,019,115 for a further one year and $5,640,794 for a further five years of ongoing program support.
Conclusion: HBB implementation is a relatively low-cost intervention with potential for high impact on perinatal mortality in resource-poor settings. It is shown here that nationwide expansion of this program across the range of health provision levels and regions of Tanzania would be feasible. This study provides policymakers and investors with the relevant cost-estimation for national rollout of this potentially neonatal life-saving intervention
Cost analysis of large-scale implementation of the ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ newborn resuscitation-training program in Tanzania
Provider experiences with the large-scale ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ training programme in Tanzania
Objectives: Worldwide, there has been renewed emphasis on reducing neonatal mortality in low-resource countries. The Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) programme has been shown to reduce newborn deaths. The aim of this study is to present provider-level perceptions and experiences of the HBB programme implemented at-scale in Tanzania and identify key lessons learned for scalability in similar and other settings.
Methods: Focus group discussions with HBB-trained providers were conducted using a prospective longitudinal study design between October 2013 and May 2015. A semi-structured discussion guide was used to facilitate the focus groups which were held 4-6 weeks and 4-6 months post-HBB training. Data were managed using NVivo software and analysed thematically.
Results: A total of 222 focus group discussions were conducted in 252 trained facilities and involved 599 providers across 15 regions of Tanzania. Birth attendants reported that the training programme helped increase knowledge, skills and confidence, and that the provided equipment simplified resuscitation. Supportive supervision and regular follow-up visits were considered critical for skills retention. On the other hand, the brief 1-day training in Tanzania, small financal incentives, intra-facility rotations of trained attendants, staff shortages, limited rescucitation spaces and mastery of the bag-and-mask were considered challenges to the HBB programme in Tanzania.
Discussion: The HBB programme was largely very well received during its first at-scale implementation in Tanzania. Addressing the main challenges cited by participants, particularly the training duration, may increase provider satisfaction with the HBB training programme