Background
The partograph is a graphic record, on paper, showing the process of labor. Using a partograph helps the midwives and doctors identify and manage possible abnormalities at an early stage, which reduces the risk of health complications for the mother and baby, shortens the length of labour and lowers the caesarian section rate. At Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, partographs are being used but many of the health workers lack the skills to fill them out correctly. A review in 2010 showed that only 35% of the partographs were used in a proper way.

About the project
This project was created to ensure that all midwives and doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital had the knowledge and skills to use and fill out a partograph in the correct way. The project team trained the staff from the labour ward on proper use of the partograph and coached them in their daily work. The staff were provided with all necessary equipments and the project team held monthly reviews to analyse the staff members’ progress.

Results
By the end of the project, the number of correctly and completely filled-out partographs had increased from 35% to 69.2%. This led to a number of positive effects – for example the number of labour interventions decreased and the still-birth rate was reduced by almost 50% six months after the project. After the training and coaching, the staff members were very supportive and positive towards partograph use. The project team have since then expanded the project and trained staff at other hospitals and health centres in the area on proper partograph use, in order to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to KNH.

Year: 2010