Midwives' Understanding of Cardiotocography Monitoring and Interpretation in a Selected District Hospital at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Cardiotocography (CTG) is a device used during antenatal and intrapartum care to monitor the foetal well-being and identify foetuses at risk of hypoxia. Midwives in antenatal and labour wards ought to be knowledgeable and competent in the monitoring and interpretation of cardiotocography as a clinical skill in order to deliver positive foetal outcomes. This study’s purpose was to determine the midwives’ knowledge and understanding in the preparation, monitoring and interpretation of the cardiotocography as a clinical skill in a selected district hospital at the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study employed a quantitative research approach in conjunction with the descriptive design to acquire data from 18 purposively sampled midwives involved in the monitoring and interpretation of the cardiotocography at the selected district hospital. Data were collected by means of non-participant observation using a checklist and a self-administered questionnaire. The Stata version 19.5 SE was utilised for data analysis with assistance of a statistician. While some of the participants demonstrated basic knowledge on the indication and purpose of the cardiotocography, the majority failed to correctly interpret and record the findings of the cardiotocography in monitoring pregnant women’s progress. The participants reported several challenges that included deficient in-service training, demanding workloads, and inadequate cardiotocography machines. Participants recommended increased staff complements in order to alleviate the problem of midwife shortages and work pressure, institutionalisation of a well-managed cardiotocography tracing paper procurement, and regular workshops on cardiotocography monitoring.