Assessment of partograph knowledge and associated factors among obstetric care providers in West Cameroon: a...

the partograph is a graphical record of the progression of labour and the main maternal and fetal parameters over time. Partograph allows early detection of abnormalities in the progression of labour, such as obstructed labour, which was responsible for 8.3% of maternal deaths and 39.7% of stillbirths in sub-Saharan African countries. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and identify factors associated with a good level of knowledge among obstetric care providers regarding the partograph.

this was a cross-sectional study conducted between February 1^st and June 30^th, 2024. The study was conducted in 14 Health Districts, including urban-rural and rural Health Districts selected among the 20 Health Districts in the West Region of Cameroon, using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire administered to obstetric care providers encountered during a monthly coordination meeting of healthcare facilities in the study´s Health Districts. Descriptive statistics, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. We determined the adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval, and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

a total of 373 obstetric care providers participated in the study, with an average age of 39.6 ± 10.6 years; 64.6% (241) were women, 64.3% (240) were nurses, and 79.1% (295) worked in Health Centers. The proportion of obstetric care providers with good knowledge of the partograph was 59.8%. Working in a District Hospital/Medical Center aOR: 2.76, 95% CI 1.24-6.87; p = 0.019, being a midwife/general practitioner aOR: 5.41, 95% CI 1.51- 26.8; p = 0.018, working in a health facility located in a rural Health District aOR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.05-2.81; p = 0.032, and having 6-10 years of service aOR: 6.03, 95% CI 1.22-35.4; p = 0.031 were factors associated with good level of knowledge about the partograph. In addition, 94.1% (351) obstetric care providers expressed the need for additional training on the partograph.

less than two-thirds of participants had a good knowledge of the partograph. We recommend conducting interventions aimed at capacity building and the systematic use of partograph by obstetric care providers in general, and those working in Health Centers in particular; ensure that work teams are formed by pairing less experienced obstetric care providers with those who have more years of service and increase the recruitment of midwives in different health facilities.