Magnitude of Partograph Use and Associated Factors among Obstetric Care Givers in Public Health Institution in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2017

Background: In Ethiopia, maternal death is still high (estimated 412 per 100,000 live births). Partograph is inexpensive and easily applicable health interventions, that can help prevent the majority of maternal and neonatal deaths. However, use of partograph of birth care vary throughout the country. Thus, this study is intended to assess knowledge and utilization of partograph among birth care givers in public health institution in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Objective: To assess magnitude of partograph use of and associated factors among obstetric care givers in public health institution in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Materials and method: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to 30, 2016. Two stage sampling techniques were used to select participants. Six Woredas and 1 city administration were selected by simple random method and after proportional allocation; a total 286 participants were recruited in the study. Structured and pretested questionnaire was administered to collect data. SPSS Version 20 was employed for data entry and statistical analysis. Logistic regression analyses were used to comprehend the association of different variables. Results: Among total respondents, 94.3% knew what a partograph is and 58.6% defined it correctly. Only 42.9% and 55% of respondents correctly explained the function of alert line and action line respectively. Only 43.9% had good knowledge on appropriate use of partograph. Almost half (51%), 38.2% and 5.7% of the respondents used partograph routinely, sometimes, and occasionally respectfully. Diploma graduates had 3.7 times good level of knowledge compared to graduates of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.7 (1.23-11.33)). There was also statistically significant relationship between the years of service and their knowledge of partograph (AOR=0.25(0.11-0.6)). Conclusion: knowledge and utilization of partograph identified poor among obstetric care givers in Sidama zone. It needs crucial intervention to avert maternal mortality, thus all responsible bodies have to do much more to improve knowledge and skill gap of professionals and further investigation is recommended in wide range.