This study aimed at describing the baseline situationof essential newborn care in a district of
Sri Lanka, developing and implementing an intervention, and to evaluate the effectiveness
of it using the quasi-experimental design. The results revealed that the availability of
resources required for maintenance of cleanliness at delivery needs improvement in all 6
Maternity/Obstetric units. In general terms, the knowledge among health care providers
regarding theoretical concepts was satisfactory, compared to that dealing with more
practical aspects related to essential newborn care. The knowlegde and practices relevant to
maintenance of cleanliness at the labour room and postnatal ward were poor. Even though
the level of knowledge on thermal protection was high among the health care providers, the
practices in preventing hypothermia was not so good. Breastfeeding practices were
satisfactory throughout the neonatal period with the exception of knowledge in management
of breastfeeding problems. Preparedness for neonatal resuscitation and initial assessment for
need of resuscitation in the labour rooms were poor. The knowledge of recognition of illness
in the newborn, and assessment of the newborn in the labour room and at postnatal ward
was satisfactory. General mothers' knowledge on the care of the newborn was satisfactory
except on the care of the umbilical cord. Mothers were satisfied with the outcome of care
and accessibility to services, but a majority were dissatisfied with interpersonal aspects,
technical competency of care and physical environment at the hospital setting
