Maternity care routines in a teaching hospital in Zambia

At the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, 59 uncomplicated, vaginally delivered mothers, were studied with regard to maternity care during the antenatal period and delivery. Information was collected from antenatal cards, labour records, observations during delivery and interviews with mothers. The average of more than five antenatal visits indicates that there was a sufficient demand for health care. The results suggest low application of the recommended maternity care routines, positive correlation between application of the maternity care and the mother's educational level and low staff encouragement of self-care among mothers. These findings suggest a need for systematic critical review and, if necessary, modification of current maternal care technologies and improved general and health education of women.