WHO-modified Partogram versus Paperless Partogram for Effective Management of Labour: A Research Protocol

Abstract

Introduction: The partograph is a simple, inexpensive tool that provides a continuous pictorial overview of labour. It helps to identify obstructed or prolonged labour and determines when appropriate actions should be taken to prevent complications. The partograph is a valuable tool for making early decisions, including transferring patients to higher-level centres when labour is not progressing. Need for the study: This research aims to contribute to the development of a standardised approach for healthcare personnel to ensure accuracy and reliability in observations and data collection. Aim: This study will compare the efficacy of the World Health Organisation (WHO)-modified partograph versus the paperless partograph. Materials and Methods: This will be a prospective interventional study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, JNMC, Wardha, Maharashtra, India over a two-year duration from January 2024 to January 2026. The study will include 200 pregnant women who will be divided into two groups. One group will use the WHO-modified partograph, while the other group will use the paperless partograph. The comparison will be based on the effective management of labour using the action and alert line Estimated Time of Delivery (ETD) between the two partographs. The overall usefulness will be evaluated using the Chi-square test/Fisher’s-exact test, with a statistical value of <0.05 considered significant.

Keywords

• estimated time of delivery
• foetus
• gestation
• labour
• pregnancy
• world health organisation