An evaluation of expectant parents knowledge, satisfaction and use of a self-instructional infant CPR kit

Objectivein many parts of Europe as in Ireland, maternity services do not provide infant CPR training routinely to expectant or new parents. Little is known of the views of expectant women and their partners about learning the skills of infant CPR as part of their antenatal education. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, satisfaction and use of a 22 minute Self-Instructional Infant CPR kit to facilitate the teaching of infant CPR and the relief of choking in an infant.Methodsexpectant women with their partners were recruited through the antenatal education classes from one maternity hospital in Ireland. An uncontrolled pre-post-test design was used and participants were surveyed immediately pre- and post-training and six months following training.Findingsthe study sample comprised of 77 participants including 42 nulliparous women at least 32 weeks gestation or greater. It found significant difference in knowledge scores following training compared to baseline p=<0.0001 and at six months p=<0.0001 compared to immediate post training for both infant CPR and choking prevention. There was a 70% (n=58) response rate at six months with 84.5% reporting average or above confidence levels for performance of Infant CPR. The multiplier educational effect was 37.9% with 22 out of 58 participants sharing the kits with family and friends. Participants (57 out of 58) indicated that the maternity services should facilitate infant CPR training for expectant women and their partners.Conclusionexpectant women and their partners are very motivated to learn the skills of infant CPR. The facilitation of a 22 minute self-instructional infant CPR kit is effective in increasing infant CPR knowledge and confidence in parents at six months post training. Findings provide the views of expectant and new parents on the relevance of acquiring the skills of infant CPR as part of their preparation for parenthood.