• low-income countries
• high-fidelity simulator
• neonatal ventilation

Neonatal ventilation entails a major challenge in low-income countries where only manual ventilation with self-inflating bags is available. Thus, the life of problematic neonates heavily relies on properly trained clinical staff and the simulation play a key role in this framework. Market simulators are either expensive or provide a poor training, so they can’t be used in Arican settings. Aim of this thesis is to overcome these challenges realizing a new high-fidelity physical simulator to train African medical staff in the manual ventilation procedure. A portable low-cost user-friendly manikin was realized replicating anatomy, physiological feedback, and aesthetic of a real neonate. The embedded sensorization and the mobile application with a simple user interface provide real-time feedback to promote a correct training. A preliminary validation of system fidelity and usability with both novices and experts were successfully performed obtaining promising results. Future extensive validation of the system in African settings will be pursued.
This research was funded by the PNRPRISMA21EP - Promoting Resilient, Inclusive and Safe CoMmunities in the Horn of Africa: in search of mutually beneficial solutions – PRISMA project and, all the required resources to replicate the system are shared in open-source repositories.