Midwives Knowledge of Partograph towards Prevention of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Specialist Hospital Gombe

Abstract

This descriptive survey study took a look at Midwives knowledge of partograph towards prevention of Maternal and Neonatal mortality in Specialist Hospital Gombe, partograph is an essential tool in management of labour. the objectives of these research are to: assess the level of knowledge of midwives towards usage of partograph, assess the level of effectiveness of partograph use in detection of danger signs during labour, identify strategy for best intervention, as well as investigating rate of deliveries conducted with and without partograph in the hospital. Two hypothesis were formulated which are: The mean level of knowledge of partograph midwives is not significantly different as compared to component of partograph, the number of normal deliveries is significantly dependant of use of partograph. Literature review was done under historical background, theoretical and empirical framework of partograph use. In the study, population of midwives is 365 in the hospital and a sample size of 191 was used as obtained by Taro Yamane (1967) as well as 5010 past used labor records. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The information gathered from respondents were analyzed in percentage using tables, bar chart, pie chart, line chart and histogram using IBM SPSS software version. Hypothesis tested using chi square, the first hypothesis test shows that midwives knowledge level of partograph is significantly different to their knowledge of component of partograph, then hence the null hypothesis is rejected and alternative uphold. Test for hypothesis two also rejects the null hypothesis and uphold the alternative hence, number of normal deliveries conducted is significantly dependent on the use of partograph. Major findings of the study reveals deficit of knowledge of partograph by midwives, effectiveness of partograph in detection of danger signs, also deliveries conducted with partograph ended with less complications. The recommendations made include: knowledge update to all midwives in the hospital, the management and midwives must be committed, capacity building is necessary effective monitoring and evaluation to promote quality care in maternity nursing.