DOCUMENTATION OF THE MODIFIED WHO PARTOGRAPH DURING LABOUR IN A SOUTH INDIAN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

ABSRACT: BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use of the partograph during labour and delivery, with the aim of improving health care and reduce maternal and foetal morbidity and death. The partograph consists of a graphic representation of labour and of fetal and maternal condition during labour. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find out the use of the partograph by the obstetric care givers in the tertiary hospital of south India. METHODS: A retrospective study reviewing the completion of the modified WHO partograph during labour in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India was undertaken. A total of 502 modified WHO partographs used to monitor mothers in labour were reviewed. A structured checklist was used to gather the required data. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Frequency distributions, cross-tabulations and a graph were used to describe the results of the study. RESULTS: Out of the 502 partographs reviewed, foetal heart rate was recorded according to the recommended standard in 261(51.9%) of the partographs, while 245 (48.8%) of cervical dilatation and 280 (66.6%) of uterine contractions were recorded to the recommended standard. The study documented descent of the presenting part in 235(46.8%), moulding in 108(21.5%) of the partographs reviewed. Documentation of state of the liquor was 228(45.4%), while the maternal blood pressure was recorded to standard only in 175(34.8%) of the partographs reviewed. CONCLUSION: This study showed a fair completion of the modified WHO partographs during labour in the hospital studied. The findings may reflect management of labour or simply inappropriate completion of the partograph. Based on the findings of this study, and earlier recommendations, pre-service and periodic on-job training of health workers on the completion of the partograph, regular supportive supervision and provision of guidelines is recommended.