Author(s)

Nwabuko Annastasia Ngozi^*, Emesowum Anthonia Chinwendu, Nwagwu Adanma Solomon, Osaka Sandra

Affiliation(s)

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author

Nwabuko Annastasia Ngozi

ABSTRACT

Pantographs are recommended by the World Health Organization as essential tools for monitoring labor progression and preventing complications such as prolonged labor. However, despite their importance, usage in many Nigerian healthcare facilities remains inconsistent. This study aims to identify the institutional, socio-economic, patient-related, and attitudinal factors influencing the non-utilization of pantographs in Owerri North and Municipal.This study explores the factors associated with the non-utilization of pantographs in public and private healthcare institutions in Owerri North and Owerri Municipal, Imo State. The pantograph is a critical labor-monitoring tool recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for preventing complications such as prolonged labor. Despite its benefits, its consistent use in healthcare settings remains a challenge. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 299 midwives. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentages, and mean scores, with a criterion mean of 2.50. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 22.0. Factors such as institutional practices, socio-economic conditions, patient factors, and attitudes were analyzed for their impact on pantograph utilization.The findings reveal that institutional barriers, such as insufficient resources, lack of training, and inadequate supervision, significantly hinder pantograph utilization. Socio-economic factors, including poor working conditions, inadequate remuneration, and disparities in patient socioeconomic status, also contributed to non-utilization. Patient-related challenges, such as lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, and mistrust in medical procedures, further limited acceptance. Attitudinal factors among healthcare providers, including perceptions of irrelevance and the burden of heavy workloads, were less significant but still notable.In conclusion, the non-utilization of pantographs is influenced by interconnected institutional, socio-economic, patient, and attitudinal factors. Addressing these barriers requires targeted interventions such as resource provision, regular training programs, public health education campaigns, and better remuneration for healthcare workers.

KEYWORDS

Factors; Non-utilization;  Partograph; Health institutions; Owerri

CITE THIS PAPER

Nwabuko Annastasia Ngozi, Emesowum Anthonia Chinwendu,  Nwagwu Adanma Solomon, Osaka Sandra. Factors associated with non-utilization of partograph in (private/public) health institutions in Owerri north and Owerri municipal, Imo state. Sciences in Nursing and Health. 2025, 2(1): 17-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/snh3019.

REFERENCES

[1] Kushwah U, Okokon I B, Agan T U, et al. The use partograph in labour monitoring: A cross sectional study among obstetrics caregiver in General Hospital Calabar. Nigeria, Journal of Women Health, 2023, 6: 873- 880

[2] Ejike O. Evaluation of factors affecting the utilization of partograph by nurses/midwives in primary/secondary health facilities in Enugu Metropolis. Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2021, 7(8): 33-34.

[3] Lavender T, Bernitz S, Lavender T. Use of the partograph - Current thinking. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol, 2020, 67: 33-43.

[4] Baafuor A O, Samuel D A. Knowledge and utilization of the partograph among obstetric care givers in south west Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health, 2020, 12(1): 22-9.

[5] Deverk R. Causes and Contributing factory of maternal mortally: Evidence from maternal and prenatal death surveillance and response in Ogun State South West Nigeria, BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2020, 63: 21-22.

[6] World Health Organization. Trends in maternal mortality 2000-2017: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA World Bank Group and the UN Population Division: Executive Summary, Geneva, 2024.

[7] Donum M M. Knowledge and utilization of Partograph during labour among midwives the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2020, 16(1): 125.

[8] Eva T. Using clinical audit to improve the quality of obstetric care at the Tibetan Delek Hospital in North India-. A longitudinal study. Reprod. Health, 2022, 3: 1-4.

[9] Fahdhy M. Utilization of the partograph in primary health care facilities in southwestern Nigeria. Midwifery, 2020, 21(4): 7-10.

[10] Belgaum T. Partograph utilization and associated factors among obstetric care providers in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia: a cross sectional study,” African Health Sciences, 2021, 15: 2-3.

[11] Lee NJ, Neal J, Lowe NK, et al. A didactic protocol for labour and delivery: the partogram. Matern Child Health J, 2018, 22(3): 355-363.

[12] Ohue A, Dereje B, Worku Aet al. Assessment of knowledge and utilization of the Partograph among health professionals in Amhara region. Ethiopia. Science Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022, 2(2): 26-42.

[13] Baby center. Assess knowledge and practice regarding partograph among staff nurses: pre experimental study.  Ind Jr Pub Hea Res Dev, 2019, 10: 498–502.

[14] Udeme A O, Adekunle D A, Hunyinbo K J.  Utilization of the Partograph in primary health care facilities in South Western Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pracf, 2024, 13: 200-4.

[15] Beenu N S, Billah S M, Mannan I. A cross-sectional study of partograph utilization as a decision making tool for referral of abnormal labour in primary health care facilities of Bangladesh. PLoS One, 2021, 13: 10.

[16] Radharkishman T. Effect of Partograph use on outcome for women in spontaneous labor at term. Cochrane Database Systemic Reviews, 2020, 1.

[17] Tseng N. Partograph revisited. Int J Clin Cases Investig; 3:1-2. Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) (2006). The Partograph: An essential tool for decision making during labor. MNH Program. Best Practices, Baltimore U.S.A: JPIEGO Corporation, 2023.

[18] Engida H, Berhanu D, Ayalew Aet al. Knowledge and utilization of partograph among obstetric care givers in public health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2023, 13: 17.