Midwives’ perspectives on the use of the partogram

Abstract

This small-scale quantitative study aimed to explore midwives’ perspectives on the use of the partogram through a self-designed, structured questionnaire. In order to meet the aim of the study the following objectives were set: to assess midwives’ awareness of the partogram, to identify midwives’ documentation on the partogram and to identify the factors leading to the underutilization of the partogram. A sample of forty midwives (N=40) was selected by convenience sampling from a Central Delivery Suite of a local public hospital. All the distributed questionnaires (N=40) were completed, yielding a 100% response rate. The results of the closed-ended questions were analysed manually, using simple descriptive statistics, whereas open-ended questions were analysed by means of content analysis. The findings suggest that midwives viewed the partogram as a preventative tool since the general consensus was that its use can reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. All of the participants acknowledged the importance of using the partogram in every delivery, mostly because it provides an overview of labour progress. However, they still believed that its use may be hindered by a number of barriers, foremost among which is lack of knowledge. Although the participants claimed to have received previous partogram training, most of them manifested a lack of awareness of accurate documentation of the state of the liquor. Moreover, a few participants were also not aware that the normal labour cervicograph should fall to the left of the alert line. The implementation of local written guidelines on the adequate use of the partogram and its accurate documentation is therefore recommended. Another recommendation is that midwives should be encouraged to update their knowledge and skills by attending continued professional development courses in order to keep abreast of changes and updates. In order to allow for generalisability of findings, future studies should include a larger, random sample of midwives from all the maternity wards.