The Determinants of Partograph Utilisation among Obstetric Care Providers at Primary Healthcare Level in South-East Nigeria: A Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND Prolonged and obstructed labour is responsible for 8% of maternal deaths can be prevented by using partograph during labour since complications can be discovered early and avoided. The goal of this study was to determine the factors that influence partograph utilisation (barriers and facilitators) among Obstetric caregivers in primary healthcare centres, Orlu local government area of Imo State, southeast Nigeria. METHOD A mixed method design was adopted for the study. For quantitative and qualitative data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide were utilised. A structured validated proforma was also used to collect data from patient records in all the health centres. The qualitative study consisted of oral interviews conducted among 22-unit heads in the 22 health centres. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages, and the results were presented in tables. RESULTS According to the findings, the use of partograph among Obstetric caregivers in primary Healthcare centres in Orlu L.G.A was determined by personal factors such as skill incompetency in carrying out an assessment with the partograph (2.6±0.87); time constraint (2.8±0.55), institutional factors influencing the use of partograph included, non-availability of partograph (2.9±0.92), Lack of adequate orientation (3.4±0.58), Lack of training (3.3±0.47). The qualitative data revealed barriers to the use of the partograph to include unavailability of partograph, inadequate number of staff, increased workload and poor supervision. For partograph utilisation to improve among obstetric caregivers, further training and employment of more staff are needed, provision of partograph forms are also important factors to consider.