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The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the views of midwives on the improved use of the partogram. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study on the partogram as a clinical practice guideline was conducted in Limpopo Province as a requirement for a doctoral degree. Midwives working at Vhembe District hospitals formed the population of the study. A sample of 17 midwives was conveniently selected from the three hospitals in the district. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives who signed the consent form. Midwives were asked to describe their experiences with the use of the partogram and their views on how its implementation could be improved. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Tesch's eight steps of qualitative data analysis were used to analyse the data. The findings of the research study highlight several challenges experienced by midwives, including their views on the improved use of the partogram. In this article, only the views of midwives on the improved use of the partogram are discussed. Midwives suggested that they be empowered with knowledge and given support by ward managers, that the partogram document be redesigned and that communication take place with midwives by ward and district managers related to changes on the partogram. It is recommended that midwifery training programmes and in-service training emphasise the partogram; that midwives be encouraged and supported by ward managers and provided with enough staff and equipment; that managers redesign the partogram document format and that communication with midwives be improved when changes are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partogram is regarded as a valuable tool recommended by the World Health Organization to monitor and document aspects of labour, but often not used effectively in clinical practice. The researchers were interested in exploring the challenges that contribute to the underutilisation of a partogram in the district and to make recommendations for improvement. A qualitative, descriptive and contextual research study was conducted at three hospitals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen midwives who were purposively selected. Data was coded and analysed using Tesch's steps of data analysis. Several challenges were highlighted including lack of resources such as staff, time, casebooks and photocopy machines, challenges with allocation of midwives and misunderstanding of the partogram. It is recommended that moral support, in-service training and resources be provided to improve the use of the partogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients' satisfaction with healthcare services is a measure of the quality of care received and of the responsiveness of healthcare systems to patients' expectations. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess mothers' satisfaction with maternity services at a regional hospital in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, and its 11 referring clinics. Structured interviews were conducted with 79 mothers during their postnatal visits. Many mothers were teenaged, single and unemployed. Overall, 51.9% (n = 41) of the interviewed mothers were satisfied; 32.5% (n = 25) were neutral; and 16.5% (n = 13) were dissatisfied with the care they had received during the intrapartum and early postpartum periods. Mothers were mostly satisfied with the general cleanliness of the ward; the information provided by nurses about looking after themselves and their babies at home, including breastfeeding; the way privacy was maintained; and the thoroughness of examinations done by doctors and midwives. Mothers were most dissatisfied with aspects concerning inadequate explanations of procedures and the lack of their involvement in decisions related to their care. Lack of pain relief during labour was also a serious concern. These aspects should be the focus of efforts to improve mid-wifery care at the participating hospital and its 11 associated clinics, and possibly also at other hospitals, in Limpopo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]