CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY MIDWIVES ON THE USE OF PARTOGRAM IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

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]