Maternal Deaths and Complications: Documentation of Parameters on the Partographs Used by Health Care Providers in Four Hospitals in West Cameroon

Abstract

Background and Objective: The majority of maternal deaths and complications attributable to obstructed and
prolonged labor could be prevented through cost-effective and affordable health interventions such as the use
of the partograph. The status of partograph documentation is poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this
study was to analyze the quality of partograph documentation in four hospitals in the West Region of Cameroon.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four health facilities selected using a convenience sampling
technique from June 1st to September 30th, 2024. A total of 495 partographs, corresponding to all partographs
identified over a 6-month period from July to December 2023, were analyzed. Data were collected using an
extraction grid in two regional hospitals (RHs) and two district hospitals (DHs). The collected data were entered
into CSPro 7.3 and exported to R 4.3.3 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were performed.
Results: The partograph utilization rate in this study was 62.6%. Parameters such as fetal heart rate, cervical dilation, and
uterine contractions were accurately recorded in 80% or more of cases; however, the correct recording rate was <50%
for modeling, amniotic fluid status, pulse, and temperature. Partograph documentation was better in RHs than in DHs.
Conclusion and Global Health Implications: The status of partograph documentation was moderate. We
recommended continuously supplying delivery rooms with partographs and organizing capacity-building
sessions for healthcare providers on the correct use of the partograph.