Utilization of the partograph to monitor progress of labour by midwives at the three public Hospitals in Zambia
Date
2016
Authors
Mwewa, Beatrice
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
A partograph is a graphic pre-printed paper that provides visual display of recorded
observations carried-out on a mother and foetus during labour for early detection of
abnormalities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advocated and recommended
compulsory use of partograph in the monitoring process of labour. Despite WHO’s position,
partographs are still being under-utilised especially in developing countries including
Zambia. Most health workers do not document findings on a partograph after reviewing a
labouring woman. Hence, labour progress may not be closely monitored or labour monitoring
may not translate into actions required when need arises.
The present research was done to determine the utilisation of the partograph to monitor
progress of labour by midwives at Kamuchanga District Hospital, Ronald Ross General
Hospital in Mufulira and University Teaching hospital in Lusaka. The objectives of the study
were to: establish existence of utilisation of the partograph and to review records of
partographs retrospectively to identify maternal, foetal and labour parameters which were not
completely recorded. This was a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 27
midwives from Kamuchanga, 18 from Ronald Ross General hospital and 42 from University
Teaching Hospital. Data were collected by use of questionnaires. Partographs were also
reviewed in retrospective from Kamuchanga (26), Ronald Ross General Hospital (38) and
University Teaching Hospital (320). A two stage sampling technique was used to sample both
midwives and partographs. Convenient sampling was used to select study sites while random
sampling was applied to choose respondents. Data analysis was done with the assistance of
computer software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The analysed
data were presented in frequency tables and cross tabulations.
The major findings of the study showed that 88.5% of respondents were utilising the
partograph. For respondents who were using partographs, 89.7% indicated that pre-printed
partographs were available in delivery centres with 58.6% saying that there was no shortage
of pre-printed partographs at their centres. On the other hand, 63.8% of respondents who had
never attended any workshop or orientation on partographs used them. Respondents who said
that they had protocols on partograph use at their delivery centres were 84.5%. The study
recommend that further research should be done to determine best ways midwives can utilise
the partograph and probably adopt other ways that could be as feasible and sustainable as a
partograph to monitor labour. Key words: partograph, partograph utilization, labour
management tool, progress of labour.
Description
MSC NURSING
Keywords
Obstetrical Nursing , Maternity Nursing , Foetal Monitoring-Nursing , Partograph