Level of Knowledge, Utilisation and Factors Influencing the Use of Partogragh among Obstetric Care Providers at Bonassama Health District Douala, Cameroon

Review Article

Abstract

Background: Maternal deaths resulting from obstructed labour can be prevented with the proper use of the partograph. The use of the partogram is critical in preventing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Knowledge and utilisation of partographs is of utmost importance, as it would culminate in a remarkable reduction of negative outcomes of obstructed labour.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, utilisation and factors influencing the use of partograph among Obstetric Care Providers at Bonassama Health District, Douala.

Materials and Methods: This study was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective study. It was carried out at Bonassama Health District, Douala from 15th October 2024 to 20th July 2025. The participants were 59 Obstetric Care Providers working at the maternity units of the selected health facilities. Also, all medical records of parturients admitted at the maternity units from 1st to 31st March, 2025 were reviewed. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select study area and to recruit the participants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and a checklist. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26. Chi-square test was used to determine the statistical significance with a p-value of <0.05. Ethical approval from the required authorities were obtained. All participants gave their consent before participating in the study.

Results: Fifty nine (59) obstetric care providers participated in the study. The most represented age groups were 31–35 years and 36–40 years 18(30.5%). One third of participants had Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery 16 (27.1%). Less than half of the participants 25 (42%) had good knowledge on the partograph with a mean knowledge score of 7.0±1.72. Majority 50 (84.7%) of the participants correctly identified the key components of the partograph. Partograph utilization varied across the six health facilities. Overall level of utilization was found to be 72%. Multivariable binary logistic regression showed that, participants who had no access to partograph charts in their ward were less likely to use (aOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05–0.99; p = 0.048) compared to those with partograph availability.

Conclusion: The overall good knowledge on partograph among obstetric care providers was below average; however, the study revealed a high level of utilization of the partograph. Unavailability of partographs in the ward was one of the factors which affected the use of the partograph. Obstetric care providers should be subjected to intensive periodic on-job refresher courses on the use of the partograph and partographs should be made available in all maternity units of each health facility conducting deliveries.