Partograph utilization and associated factors among obstetric care givers in governmental health institutions of Jigjiga and Degehabur towns, Somali region, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Partograph is a simple, inexpensive & economical tool that provides a continuous graphical overview of labour and prevents prolonged and obstructed labor. The purpose of the study is to assess partograph utilization and associated factors among obstetric care givers in governmental health institutions of Jigjiga and Degehabur Towns, Somali Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out among obstetric care givers who were working in governmental health institutions. Systematic random sampling with proportional to size allocation was used to recruit a total of 235 study participants. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data in this study. Three data collectors and one supervisor were recruited and trained to facilitate the data collection activities. Data were entered into Epi data software and exported into SPSS (23.0) for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were computed to determine proportions and significant association with partograph utilization among obstetric care givers. RESULT: Less than half of obstetric care givers, 41% (95%CI: 34.5–46.9) had good partograph utilization to monitor progress of labor. Being female [AOR = 2.36, 95%CI:(1.03–5.44)], availability of partograph [AOR = 4.633, 95%CI: (1.698–12.640)], having good knowledge [AOR = 6.90, 95%CI:(2.62–18.18)], receiving on job training [AOR = 15.46, 95%CI:(6.95–34.42)] and positive attitude towards partograph [AOR = 2.99, 95%CI:(1.25–7.14)] were significantly associated with partograph utilization. CONCLUSION: Partograph utilization in this study was low. Especial emphasizes and interventions should be given to periodic on job training that improve knowledge and attitude of obstetric care givers to increase partograph utilization.