Maternity Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Nursing Care of First Stage of Normal Labor and Partogram Through Instructional Package

Research Abstract

Background: Normal labor is a vital physiological process necessitating ongoing evaluation and interventions. Continuous nurse education is crucial for effective maternal care, and training in obstetrical emergencies enhances outcomes for mothers and newborns. Aim: evaluate the effect of the instructional package on maternity nurses’ knowledge regarding nursing care of first stage of normal labor and partogram. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental design with a one group pre-posttest. Setting: The current study was conducted at labor unit at Beni-Suef University and Beni-Suef Specialist Hospitals. Sample: A convenience sample consisting of all 50 maternity nurses. Tools: A structured interviewing questionnaire, which includes 3 parts: 1. Discusses the training and experience of maternity nurses. 2. Evaluates their understanding of general nursing care during first stage. 3. Analyzes their knowledge of the Partogram. Results: 56% of the studied nurses had less than 5 years of experience and 28.0% attended training courses regarding the stages of normal labor. Post-intervention assessments indicated substantial improvements in maternity nurses' knowledge of normal labor. Recognition of true labor pain increased from 8% to 70%, understanding of uterine contractions from 12% to 72%, and knowledge about nursing care during the first stage of labor rose from 24% to 88%. Correct reporting of cervical dilatation improved from 14% to 68%, while knowledge of labor progress components went from 20% to 72%. Understanding of complications addressed by the partogram increased from 22% to 74%. All changes were statistically significant (p-value 0.000). Conclusion: Improvements in maternity nurses' knowledge of partogram and nursing care during the first stage of normal labor were noted after the intervention, with levels of knowledge correlating positively with years of nursing experience before and after the instructional package. Recommendations: Distribute the clarified pamphlet for maternity nurses to acquire a correct knowledge regarding partogram and nursing care of first stage of labor.

Research Keywords

nurses’ knowledge; nursing care; first stage of normal; partogram, instructional package