Co-creating an educational resource to promote the uptake of Skin-to-Skin Contact in Saudi Arabia

Abeer H Hawsawi; Ritin Fernandez; Maria Mackay; Ibrahim Alananzeh; Abbas Al Mutair

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103783

Co-creating an educational resource to promote the uptake of Skin-to-Skin Contact in Saudi Arabia

Nurse Educ Pract. 2023 Oct:72:103783. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103783. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Authors

Abeer H Hawsawi¹, Ritin Fernandez², Maria Mackay³, Ibrahim Alananzeh⁴, Abbas Al Mutair⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: abeer.hawsawi@uon.edu.au.
² The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Centre for Evidence-Based Initiatives in Health Care: A Joanna Briggs Centre of Excellence, NSW, Australia.
³ School of Nursing and Indigenous Health Discipline, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Midwife, Rural Health Setting, NSW, Australia.
⁴ School of Nursing, the University of Wollongong (UOWD), United Arab Emirates.
⁵ School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Australia; Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia; College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bent Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PMID: 37722236
DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103783

Abstract

Aim: This paper focuses on the co-creation approach to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate educational interventions to promote the uptake of skin-to-skin contact.

Background: Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial to mothers and newborns, but it is rarely practised in Saudi Arabia. Co-creation involving service users to develop evidence-based resources about skin-to-skin contact relevant to the target population is an approach increasingly used to improve health outcomes.

Method: A three-step method was used to develop the educational intervention including: (1) a systematic scoping review to identify the evidence-based information for education regarding skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby post-birth; (2) Co-creation of the resources using the Knowledge to Action Framework. The resource was developed collaboratively with academic staff from Australia and health care staff from Saudi hospital; and (3) Finalisation of the educational materials through a consensus development conference and Implementation.

Findings: The systematic scoping review generated useful information about the gaps in knowledge and barriers to skin-to-skin practice. Information was tailored and translated according to the needs of the Saudi population. A variety of educational materials including pamphlets, a PowerPoint presentation and a short video were co-created with the help of the stakeholders. Consensus was reached when 93% (87-100%) of the participants agreed about the mode of delivery and appropriateness of the PowerPoint and 100% agreed on the e-pamphlets and video.

Discussion: The skin-to-skin online educational resource was created by integrating co-creation principles and the Knowledge to Action framework with the aim of developing and customizing a culturally appropriate intervention using the best available evidence. By engaging in co-creation stakeholders gained a sense of ownership and were more willing to adopt and implement the intervention.

Keywords: Co-creation; Consensus development conference; Educational materials; Knowledge to Action framework; Skin to skin contact.