Knowledge and Challenges of Partograph Utilisation among Midwives in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

Prolonged labour is one of the leading causes of death among mothers and newborns in the developing countries including Ghana. Delayed labour has the propensity to lead pregnant women experience serious complications such as obstructed labour, maternal dehydration, exhaustion, or rupture of the uterus. To protect women from death as a result of obstructed labour, WHO accepted par- tograph as means of information about the progress of labour while monitoring condition of the woman as well as the baby during labour. Midwives’ religious application of this chart to monitor labour in midwifery practice and care cannot be overemphasized. This study assessed the level of knowledge, perception and challenges of partograph utilization among midwives in the Central Region of Ghana. Five public health facilities within the Cape Coast Metropolis were selected for the study. Cross sectional design was adopted to conveniently collect data from 150 midwives at the labour units in the health facilities. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data as well as Chi Square of association was used to describe the association between years of service and partograph utilisation. The findings of the study revealed 78% of midwives in the Cape Coast Metropolis have knowledge on partograph and why it is necessary to use it in the management of labour. With positive attitude of midwives towards partograph, the study revealed 97% utilisation of partograph to monitor mothers in labour in the metropolis. However, the use of the partograph during labour was af- fected by inadequate supplies of logistics, lack of commitment of midwives, inadequacy of qualified personnel and poor knowledge on partograph graphing. There was significant association between the years of service and utilisation of partograph [X2 (df = 3) = 46.552, ρ = 0.001] with registered midwives more likely to utilize partograph than principal and enrolled midwives. Metropolitan health directorate should offer occasional orientation for all midwives on new concepts or newer versions of partograph and its use in ensuring its maximum utilisation.