Healthcare providers’ perspectives on labor monitoring in Nigeria and Uganda: A qualitative study on challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Objective: To explore current practices, challenges, and opportunities in relation to monitoring labor progression, from the perspectives of healthcare professionals in low-resource settings. Methods Conclusion:Healthcare providers face many challenges to effective monitoring of labor progress in low-resource settings. This analysis presents potential opportunities to improve labor monitoring practices and tools in these contexts. K E Y W O R D S

Negotiating quality standards for effective delivery of labor and childbirth care in Nigeria and Uganda

“…The detailed findings of the review of internationally recognized intrapartum care practices were published as part of the 2016 Lancet Maternal Health Series . Quality of facility‐based childbirth care based on the views, needs, expectations, values, and preferences of women and healthcare providers, as well as service models that incorporated the agreed standards are published separately in this Supplement …”

“…A primary qualitative study was conducted in eight study facilities and facility catchment areas in Nigeria and Uganda. Detailed accounts of the study methods, procedures and results have been published separately . Briefly, in‐depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with women of reproductive age who had given birth in a health facility in the previous 12 months, as well as doctors, nurses/midwives, and healthcare administrators working in the study facilities.…”

The communication and emotional support needs to improve women's experience of childbirth care in health facilities in Southwest Nigeria: A qualitative study

“…While women themselves are the “gold standard” for information on their own needs and preferences, healthcare providers and administrators can provide interesting input to explore convergent and divergent perspectives on women's needs. This paper is part of a series on the BOLD project formative research; other aspects of the project are described in detail elsewhere in this Supplement …”

Turning local knowledge and experience into innovative tools for quality care during labor and childbirth: The BOLD project experience

“…The cohort study looking at labor progress aims to develop a decision support system (SELMA: Simplified, Effective, Labour Monitoring‐to‐Action tool). The particular setting was Uganda and Nigeria, and the first four papers in this Supplement are focused on the identification of what matters to local communities and individuals in terms of quality of care . These papers reinforce the prevalence of disrespect and abuse in maternity care that is becoming more evident as qualitative accounts have become more legitimate in the evidence‐based‐practice field.…”

“…The participants raise notions of love, family relationships, home, and friendship. For example, Yang et al . report that women talk about the ideal carer being one “that will take care of them like they are their own biological children”; or even “as if they are the ones pregnant,” and that, when good care was being given, “providers were giving us strength.” This is about what authentically respectful care looks like.…”