Background
A partograph is a printed paper form on which labour observations are recorded. The purpose of using a partograph is to create a graphic overview of the childbirth, to alert midwives and obstetricians of any abnormalities. This helps the hospital staff take action at an early stage to prevent health complications and possibly save the lives of the mother and/or baby. At Orile-Agege General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, the partograph is not used on a regular basis. The hospital has an average monthly delivery of 130 babies and 30% of the women giving birth have a caesarian section.

About the project
This project was created to implement the use of the partograph to monitor labour at Orile-Agege General Hospital in Lagos. The project team trained 45 doctors and midwives from the labour ward on how to use the partograph. This was done through lectures, practical demonstrations and supportive supervision in their daily work. The partograph was then included in a newly-designed labour record where the doctors and midwives documented the progress of each woman in labour.

Results
By the end of the project, the use of partograph had been implemented at Orile-Agege General Hospital. The partograph was used in 89% of all deliveries, compared to 20% before the project. This led to a significant decrease in caesarian sections, from 30% before the project to 21% after. The project team are now planning to scale-up and promote the use of partograph in other health facilities in Lagos state.

Year: 2009