Utilization of partograph during labour: A case of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Kidest Getu Melese; Bedilu Girma Weji; Tezera Moshago Berheto; Eyasu Tamru Bekru

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05633

Utilization of partograph during labour: A case of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Heliyon. 2020 Dec 17;6(12):e05633. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05633. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Authors

Kidest Getu Melese¹, Bedilu Girma Weji², Tezera Moshago Berheto³, Eyasu Tamru Bekru⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
² Department of Anesthesia, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
³ School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debrebrehan University, Debrebrehan, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends the utilization of partograph for all laboring mothers. Partograph is a cost-effective, single sheet of paper that is used to follow maternal and fetal condition and progress of labour. Obstructed and prolonged labours are major causes of maternal deaths. These causes can be minimized by routine utilization of partograph. However, several maternal and fetal deaths occur in health facilities due to poor quality of labour follow-up. Therefore, this study aims to assess the utilization of partograph and associated factors among obstetric care providers working in Wolaita zone health facilities, Southern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to May 2016. A pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data entry and analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 21.0. Logistic regression was used to identify associations. A P value <0.2 in binary logistic regression were transferred to multiple logistic regressions. Odds ratio with 95% CI, P-value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Of a total of 442 participants, 73.6% utilize partograph routinely. From the total variables in the study, a midwifery profession showed a significant association with the dependent variable (AOR = 4.7,95% CI:1.8-12). The utilization of partograph in the study area was low as per the World Health Organization recommendation. This study recommends that assigning midwives in the obstetric ward other than other health professionals will increase the routine utilization of partograph.

Keywords: Emergency medicine; Evidence-based medicine; Intensive care medicine; Internal medicine; Labour; Obstetric care providers; Obstetrics & gynecology; Utilization of partograph; Wolaita Southern Ethiopia.