title: Knowledge and utilization of the partograph among obstetric care givers in south west Nigeria.
abstract: This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge and utilization of the partograph among health care workers in southwestern Nigeria. Respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling method from primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care. 719 respondents comprising of CHEWS--110 (15.3%), Auxiliary Nurses--148 (20.60%), Nurse/Midwives--365 (50.6%), Physicians--96 (13.4%) were selected from primary (38.2%), secondary (39.1%) and tertiary levels (22.7%). Only 32.3% used the partograph to monitor women in labour. Partograph use was reported significantly more frequently by respondents in tertiary level compared with respondents from primary/secondary levels of care (82.4% vs. 19.3%; X2 = 214.6, p < 0.0001). Only 37.3% of respondents who were predominantly from the tertiary level of care could correctly mention at least one component of the partograph (X2 = 139.1, p < 0.0001). The partograph is utilized mainly in tertiary health facilities; knowledge about the partograph is poor. Though affordable, the partograph is commonly not used to monitor the Nigerian woman in labour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. fawoleo@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Fawole
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Hunyinbo
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Adekanle
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D009549:Nigeria; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy