Evidence-Based Intrapartum Practice and Associated Factors Among Obstetric Care Providers Working in Public Hospitals of South Wollo Zone North-Central Ethiopia: An Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Even though recent progress, Ethiopia continues to be one of the most significant contributors to the worldwide burden of maternal mortality. Evidence-based intrapartum practices have significant value to improve the health outcome of the mother and the neonate. However, in Ethiopia, it is not exercised according to the standard. Assessing the proportion of evidence-based intrapartum practice and predictors is essential and vital to providing better-quality care to laboring mothers. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the magnitude of evidence-based intrapartum practice and predictors among obstetric care providers working in public hospitals in South Wollo zone, North-central Ethiopia. PATIENT AND METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed among 398 obstetric care providers from February 1 to April 30, 2021. Study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Both a structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was done to determine predictors associated with evidence-based intrapartum practice and P-value <0.05 at 95% CI was declared as statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall magnitude of evidence-based intrapartum care was 54.7% [95% CI (49.6–59.7%)]. Knowledge [AOR = 2.1; 95% CI (1.30–3.38)], computer access [AOR = 2.04; 95% CI (1.27–3.27)], work experience [AOR= 2.13; 95% CI (1.21–3.73)] and training [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI (1.12–2.93)] were found to be statistically significant with evidence-based intrapartum practice. CONCLUSION: We found that only half of the obstetric care providers applied evidence-based intrapartum practice. Increasing knowledge of intrapartum care, providing continuous training, making the working environment safe to handle experienced providers, and easily access computers in the workplace will be needed to maximize the practice of evidence-based intrapartum care and scale up the quality of care.