Table of ContentsIntroductionMethods and materialsCourse materialsPre- and post-course surveysStatistical analysisResultsDiscussionConclusionIntroductionCaregivers may struggle to get the information they need to feel prepared to care for an infant safely and adequately. Studies show that new parents often turn to family, friends, Internet searches, and social media to increase their knowledge about infant care issues. Infant safety and CPR classes are beneficial in preparing new mothers and can increase maternal confidence and knowledge. Although free infant CPR courses are routinely offered to parents as part of the neonatal intensive care unit discharge protocol, these courses are not routinely offered in communities to parents and caregivers of infants of non-nursing graduates. the NICU. Research has shown that in terms of injuries, the benefits of CPR outweigh the risks. Injuries from CPR are usually negligible or minor, and it is better to demonstrate CPR to the best of the caregiver's training and abilities than no CPR at all. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay When considering courses for parents and caregivers of infants, CPR and infant choking rescue have the potential to save infant lives. Practicing critical simulations and training in a non-threatening hospital environment can help caregivers master CPR skills. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that 88% of cardiac arrests occur at home; however, approximately 70% of Americans feel helpless in the event of an out-of-hospital arrest. As a result, people may not take necessary steps to save their lives because they do not know how to perform CPR correctly and are not confident in their skills. Although out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests are rare, babies are more likely to need resuscitation within six months of discharge from the hospital, and the overall prognosis of a cardiopulmonary arrest pulmonary outside the hospital is dark. Providing CPR to pediatric victims of an out-of-hospital arrest tends to be more difficult for laypersons because the depth and finger placement differ from traditional adult CPR. The recent increase in community CPR using compressions only, while beneficial for adults, is less helpful for arrested children because child survival is highly dependent on ventilation with compressions.20 Research has demonstrated that women pregnant women want CPR training and education for their infants; knowledge and confidence increase immediately after training and 6 months after training. Infants' basic knowledge of resuscitation has been shown to be significantly better in trained participants, and researchers recommended that future studies design and implement effective programs that teach caregivers to activate the resuscitation system. emergency response (EMS) and promptly begin CPR. Research has shown that these skills should be taught to parents, grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers at or around the time ofchildbirth. For people caring for infants, potential barriers to enrolling in infant safety or CPR classes may include finding an appropriate class, scheduling, or cost. When offered for a fee, families with low socioeconomic status may be prevented from accessing necessary information and learning vital skills. Although most clinicians consider caregiver CPR a necessary intervention in the event of an out-of-hospital arrest, the effects of providing routine community training are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of providing free community CPR to infants and choking rescue. classes to infant care providers in Pitt County, North Carolina, using self-reported pre- and post-class surveys. This study was designed to assess caregiver self-efficacy via pre- and post-course surveys and changes in perceived confidence and goal competence via written and practical demonstration of skills. We hypothesized that caregiver self-efficacy, confidence, and competence would have a positive association with an increase in caregiver knowledge and skills through the course. This particular county was chosen following its 2014 State of the County Report, in which the Pitt County Board of Health identified a priority and goal of reducing the infant mortality rate to the level or below the state rate. The Pitt County Health Department has implemented programs to combat the stagnant infant mortality rate; however, at the time of our study implementation, Pitt County did not have free community infant CPR classes. As in most counties, infant CPR classes are offered free of charge to parents of infants who require admission to a hospital neonatal intensive care unit; However, parents and other caregivers of infants who do not require intensive care admission do not have the same opportunity to learn infant CPR for free in a hospital setting. Methods and Materials This program evaluation study was designed to evaluate the effects of community infant CPR and choking rescue courses. about people caring for infants. The study was designated by the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) as a quality initiative that did not require additional IRB approval. Recruitment focused on pregnant women, new parents, grandparents, siblings, and babysitters who were from low socioeconomic status and who may not have been in able to afford to take paid infant safety courses. Class announcements were posted at local libraries, thrift stores, consignment stores, baby stores, OB/GYN offices, and the local health department. A total of 277 participants attended the courses. Participants included pregnant women of various gestations, postpartum women, expectant fathers, grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers of infants. Course MaterialsThe AHA Family and Friends Infant CPR course was offered, which covers infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation and choking rescue. Classes were offered twice a month and lasted approximately 1 hour. The program included a brief overview of key CPR skills, video instructions with sessions ofpracticing compressions and ventilation, as well as a code simulation event in which participants had to assess an infant, call for help, and perform 5 rounds of CPR. The program concluded with video instruction covering choking rescue with practice and a debriefing and question period. This course was offered free of charge to all participants interested in learning infant CPR. Primary course facilitators were medical students who were also registered nurses with experience in neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, as well as certified Basic Life Support (BLS) instructors from the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA Family & Friends CPR program does not require community facilitators to be AHA BLS certified instructors. Additional medical and health sciences students were trained to lead classes using AHA training. The AHA Family & Friends course is not a certification course; however, participants received a completion reward at the end of the course. Pre- and Post-Course Surveys Before the start of each course, participants were given a pre-course survey to collect data regarding their current self-efficacy. The pre-course survey also asked two questions regarding participants' confidence in their current perceived ability to perform CPR or save an infant in the event of choking. A 4-point Likert scale was used to assess participants' confidence in the ability to perform CPR on an infant or save a choking infant. Participants respond to questions on a 4-point scale with responses ranging from: “not at all, a little, moderately, and a lot.” Finally, infant CPR skill was assessed using a 5-question multiple-choice exam based on key principles necessary for understanding infant resuscitation. This multiple-choice exam was created as a way to assess participants' understanding of the correct frequency, depth, speed, and position for appropriate CPR technique for infants, according to AHA guidelines . An additional question related to the correct technique for giving back blows and chest thrusts when a caregiver encounters a choking infant. At the end of each course, participants received an identical post-course assessment to determine any changes in perceived self-efficacy, confidence, and CPR skill. No protected health information about the subject was collected, and all written pre- and post-course surveys and assessments were intended as quality initiative data and did not require participant consent. Participants could choose not to complete the pre- and post-course surveys and continue to participate in the free infant CPR course. Participants’ skills were assessed via a hands-on skills assessment. Each participant demonstrated their CPR skills by performing techniques according to established AHA guidelines for infant CPR, while trained AHA BLS instructors and trained medical student BLS providers watched and provided advice. Statistical analysis A modified 9-item generalized self-efficacy (GSE) scale was scored. according to published guidelines, with the total score calculated with the sum of the 9 questions. The total score ranges from 9 to 36, with a higher score indicating greater self-efficacy. The internal reliability of the GSE has a Cronbach's alpha between 0.76.