Effects of Introducing World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist on Midwives’ Knowledge and Selected Essential Childbirth Practices. A case study of a Health Centre IV in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

There is a global concern about improving critical delivery procedures to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. Evidence in Uganda shows that there is high prevalence of maternal and newborn death largely due to inadequate perinatal and postnatal care. This study examined the effects of introducing WHO SCC on midwives’ knowledge and practices of selected essential birth practices in Uganda. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: The Lewin's Change Management Theory was used to enable the successful introduction of a different way of doing things from what the midwives were previously doing. The midwives embraced the teaching, coaching, mentorship and introduction of WHO SCC which later led to improved level of knowledge and practice of WHO SCC elements. Methodology: This study adopted quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study design. Before intervention, a questionnaire was administered to collect data from study participants and data audit tool was used to collect data on practice from 121 files. After the introduction of an educational intervention which involved teaching, coaching and mentorship, data was again collected using the same data collection tools used at pre- intervention. Results: The study showed that the introduction of WHO SCC had statistically significant effect on midwives’ knowledge and practices regarding the self-reported data. There was also a statistically significant change in practice as measured by the audit tools. Conclusion: The study finding demonstrated the significance of WHO SCC intervention on midwives’ knowledge and practice. Midwives play an important role in providing care for expectant mothers before giving birth and to the mothers and their baby immediately after giving birth. Undertaking midwives’ responsibilities requires that they should be soundly knowledgeable, skillful and experienced in practicing their profession. Recommendations: Midwifes’ leadership should ensure that WHO-SCC is introduced and used more regularly and broadly in hospitals across the country. Key Terms: WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist, Essential Birth Practices, Midwives, Knowledge and Practices.