Simulation Training Program of Pediatric Appropriate Technology Improves Knowledge for doctors and nurses in Zanzibar: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract Background: Due to the limited human resource and medical materials, the mortality of children under-5 was high in Tanzania. Systematic and effective training programs for pediatric medical staffs are required. Thus, aim of this study was to describe and test a simulation training program of pediatric technology for doctors and nurses in Zanzibar. Methods : A simulation training program of pediatric appropriated technology was designed and performed in this quasi-experimental study, in which pre-post self-reported of pediatric knowledge (scoring 0-100) of participants were calculated to analysis the effectiveness of this simulation training in Apr, 2018 and Oct, 2018. Correctly answering of items≥80% was considered to be a pass. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS 22.0 software to test the hypothesis. Results: 56 participants were finally included in this study with 27 doctors and 29nurses. Pre and post test scores of pediatric knowledge were at mean 44.32 (SD 9.53) versus mean 82.11 (SD 11.06) respectively, p <0.0001. The most effective training domain was (pediatric life support) at 44(78.57). Passing rate of pediatric knowledge increased dramatically after training with p value less than 0.0001. Although there was a mild difference between doctors and nurses at scoring of pre-test ( p =0.048), the training effect between them had no statistical differences ( p >0.05). Conclusion : The scenario simulation training course of pediatric appropriated technology could significantly improve pediatric knowledge for doctors and nurses in Zanzibar. It might be further promoted as one effective module of training in health foreign aid.