Quality of maternity care practices of skilled birth attendants in Cambodia

Ith, P; Dawson, A; Homer, C

Quality of maternity care practices of skilled birth attendants in Cambodia

Ith, P Dawson, A

Homer, C

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 2012, 10 (1), pp. 60 - 67
Issue Date:: 2012-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ith, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 2012, 10 (1), pp. 60 - 67	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1744-1595	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18476
dc.description.abstract	Background: The World Health Organization's recommended package of interventions for the integrated management of pregnancy and childbirth provides guidance for the use of evidence-based interventions to ensure the best outcomes for mother and newborn. However, the extent to which skilled birth attendants (SBAs) follow evidence-based guidelines is not known. There are few studies into childbirth practices of SBAs in Cambodia. The aim of this study was to observe practices of SBAs during labour, birth and the immediate post-partum period and their consistency with evidence-based guidelines. Methods: A structured non-participant observation study was undertaken. Data were collected using an observational checklist of evidence-based practices adapted from the Cambodian clinical assessment tools for associate degree in midwifery. Maternity care settings in one provincial hospital, two district referral hospitals and two health centres in one province of Cambodia were purposively selected. Results: Twenty-five SBAs who attended 40 women during labour, birth and the postnatal period were observed. The results showed that the use of the partograph was low; birth companions were not permitted; cleanliness during birth was lacking; management of the third stage of labour was inappropriate; monitoring of mother and baby in the early postnatal period was lacking; the SBAs lacked skills in neonatal resuscitation; skin-to-skin contact with the newborn and early breastfeeding were rare; and intramuscular injection of vitamin K varied. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the current SBA practices during labour, birth and the immediate postpartum period in one province of Cambodia are not consistent with evidence-based guidelines. Service improvements that address evidence-based practices are likely to have an impact on clean and safe childbirth, thereby enhancing outcomes for Cambodia women. © 2012 The Authors International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare © 2012 The Joanna Briggs Institute.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/j.1744-1609.2012.00254.x	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Postnatal Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery, Obstetric	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Midwifery	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quality of Health Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cambodia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Practice Guidelines as Topic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Evidence-Based Practice	en_US
dc.title	Quality of maternity care practices of skilled birth attendants in Cambodia	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	10	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	10	en_US

Abstract:

Background: The World Health Organization's recommended package of interventions for the integrated management of pregnancy and childbirth provides guidance for the use of evidence-based interventions to ensure the best outcomes for mother and newborn. However, the extent to which skilled birth attendants (SBAs) follow evidence-based guidelines is not known. There are few studies into childbirth practices of SBAs in Cambodia. The aim of this study was to observe practices of SBAs during labour, birth and the immediate post-partum period and their consistency with evidence-based guidelines. Methods: A structured non-participant observation study was undertaken. Data were collected using an observational checklist of evidence-based practices adapted from the Cambodian clinical assessment tools for associate degree in midwifery. Maternity care settings in one provincial hospital, two district referral hospitals and two health centres in one province of Cambodia were purposively selected. Results: Twenty-five SBAs who attended 40 women during labour, birth and the postnatal period were observed. The results showed that the use of the partograph was low; birth companions were not permitted; cleanliness during birth was lacking; management of the third stage of labour was inappropriate; monitoring of mother and baby in the early postnatal period was lacking; the SBAs lacked skills in neonatal resuscitation; skin-to-skin contact with the newborn and early breastfeeding were rare; and intramuscular injection of vitamin K varied. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the current SBA practices during labour, birth and the immediate postpartum period in one province of Cambodia are not consistent with evidence-based guidelines. Service improvements that address evidence-based practices are likely to have an impact on clean and safe childbirth, thereby enhancing outcomes for Cambodia women. © 2012 The Authors International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare © 2012 The Joanna Briggs Institute.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18476