Journal of Neonatology
Year : 2005, Volume : 19, Issue : 3
Online ISSN : 0973-2187. Print ISSN : 0973-2179.
Teaching curriculum in neonatal nursing – does it require change
Kaul Pity*, Reader
School of Health Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110 068
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Introduction
The status of newborn health in India is a matter of grave concern and has serious implications for overall health status of children. Despite the improvement in newborn health care services neonatal and infant mortality rate has not significantly declined. In India 26 million babies are born every year, out of which 1.2 million die before completing the first four weeks of life. The current neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 44 per 1000 live births accounts for nearly two-thirds of all infant mortality and half of all neonatal deaths occur on the first day of life, almost half within three days and nearly three fourth death occur in the first week of life (1).
The neonatal mortality is due to infections, birth asphyxia and prematurity. The associated factors responsible for such state of affair include poor health status of mother during pregnancy, unsatisfactory delivery practices and inappropriate handling of newborn. This situation demands appropriate preparation of nurses and judicious organization of nursing services to provide quality care to the New Born.
