Training App for Nurses and Midwives in Underserved Areas

Submitted By: Pebbles of Hope
Date Opened:
June 25, 2014
Date Closed:
July 16, 2014

Prematurity is the single biggest cause of newborn death. Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world, affecting more than 1 in 10 births. Over 1 million of these babies die each year due to complications from prematurity, and many survivors face a lifetime of disability. In the majority of cases, these babies could be saved and have improved qualities of life with simple, cost-effective interventions provided at the time of birth. By training healthcare workers, midwives and birth attendants from low-resource areas in these techniques, we hope to change these statistics and save babies' lives. To address this problem, we'd like to develop an app that includes a digital course based on the curricula developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (i.e. Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for Small Babies) and the World Health Organization (i.e. Managing Newborn Problems) for low-resource areas that includes video tutorials, step by step guides and quizzes to assess learning. Topics of the course may include: • How to recognize the signs of premature labor • Techniques for managing a baby that is not breathing at birth • Clean birth practices, including how to properly cut the umbilical cord • Methods for warming newborn babies • Guidance on implementing Kangaroo Care • Feeding techniques, including providing guidance to mothers on promoting breastfeeding • Treatment methods for common health issues for premature babies, including jaundice, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, anemia, infection, apnea and respiratory distress • Brain development in preemies and strategies to reduce incidence of brain damage All content for the app will be provided, but we need the platform and tools for updating and adding course materials over time. Please contact me if you are interested in supporting this project.