Determinants of use of partograph among primary healthcare workers in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) recommended use of partograph during childbirth to ensure early identification of abnormalities and prompt referral for emergency obstetrics care. However, factors that determine use of partograph during childbirth among primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) remain inadequately documented. Objective: This study investigated the determinants of use of partograph in conduct of labor among PHCWs in Enugu, South-East Nigeria. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive survey of public PHCWs in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 393 respondents. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 22. Tests of statistics were conducted using χ2 and binary logistic regression, and statistical significance was determined at P-value of < 0.05. Results: Majority (87.0%) of the respondents have good knowledge of partograph. Reported regular availability of partograph is 32.8% but regular use of it is 25.2%. Statistically significant association exists between use of partograph and reception of training on it (P=0.001), knowledge of it (P=0.001), and availability of it (P=0.001). Availability of partograph was a predictor of use of it (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=27.129; confidence interval=14.780–49.797). Conclusion: Although there is high knowledge of partograph among PHCWs in Enugu state, there is poor usage of it. There are 27 times higher odds of using partograph when it is made available compared with when it is not. We recommend regular provision of partograph to labor ward personnel in PHCWs in Enugu state and other similar populations.

Keywords

• childbirth
• determinants
• labor
• maternal health care
• partograph
• primary healthcare workers