First Stage of Normal Labor: Impact of Instructional Package on Nursing performance

Research Abstract

Background: Normal labor is a crucial physiological process influenced by cultural, psychological, spiritual, and behavioral factors in a woman's life. It is unique to each individual, necessitating continuous assessment and suitable interventions for positive outcomes during labor. Aim: evaluate the effect of the instructional package on nursing performance regarding the first stage of labor. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental design with a one group pre-posttest was utilized in this study. Setting: The current study was conducted at labor unit at Beni-Suef University Hospital and Beni-Suef Specialist Hospital. Sample: A convenience sample consisting of all 50 maternity nurses was utilized in the current study. Tools: Three tools were utilized for data collection: Tool I, a structured interviewing questionnaire, which includes parts on maternity nurses' knowledge of first-stage normal labor and partograms; Tool II, an observational checklist assessing the practices of maternity nurses; and Tool III, measuring the attitudes of maternity nurses towards nursing care in the first stage of normal labor. Results: 28.0% of them attended training courses regarding the stages of normal labor. Adequate knowledge improved from 10% to 78%, competency of practices improved from 36% to 86%, and positive attitudes improved from 42% to 86% (pre-instruction compared to post-instruction, respectively). Significant correlations among maternity nurses' knowledge, practice, and attitude both pre- and post-instructional package at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). Significant differences in maternity nurses' total knowledge and practice scores post-instructional package related to their attendance in normal labor programs were observed. Conclusion: Instructional package had positive effect on maternity nurse’s performance regarding nursing care of first stage of normal labor and these results support the research hypothesis. Recommendations: Developing periodical sessions to enhance maternity nurses’ knowledge, practices and acquired positive attitudes regarding nursing care of first stage of normal labor.

Research Keywords

First Stage of Labor, Instructional Package, Nursing performance