KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF PARTOGRAPH AMONG MIDWIVES IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Introduction: Poor intrapartum care remains one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, a woman dies of pregnancy-related causes every two minutes and most of the deaths are preventable with the right care at the right time. The major complications, which account for almost 75% of all maternal deaths are preventable including complications during childbirth. One of the major components of quality management of labour to prevent maternal mortality is the use of partograph by the skilled birth attendant during management of labour.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and utilization of partograph among midwives working in the labour ward in health facilities in Anambra state, Nigeria.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 midwives in 17 health facilities consisting of 2 tertiary, 3 secondary and 12 primary healthcare centres (PHC) in Anambra state. Obtained data was summarized using mean, and percentages.

Results: Thirty-nine (39%) of the respondents aged less than 30 years, 52% were within 30-45 years while 9% aged 40 years and above. Twenty-one (21%) were just registered midwives while 68% and 11% were registered nurse-midwives and registered nurse-midwives with B.NSc degree respectively. Almost half, 48%, of the respondents have had 5-10 years working experience; 14% of the respondents worked in the primary health facility, 37% of the respondents in the secondary health facility while 49% worked in the tertiary health facility. The results show a 78% level of knowledge among the midwives, although only 72% and 60% knew the level of cervical dilation to start the use of partograph and the benefit of partograph respectively. Level of utilization was 96%, although only 30.2% used partograph always while 51% used it often and 18.9% rarely used it. Barriers identified were shortage of staff, unavailability of partograph and time constraints.

Conclusion: There is good level of knowledge of partograph among midwives working in labour wards across different levels of health care facilities but the depth of the knowledge is not encouraging.