Midwives in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana are enhancing the effectiveness of labour monitoring by utilising partographs

Abstract Background The partograph is an essential maternal tool for monitoring labour progression in child birth, significantly lowering maternal and newborn complications. However, some clinics in Ghana often fail to apply it appropriately, during childbirth. We assessed partograph utilisation and documentation completeness among midwives in selected health facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area. Methods A cross-sectional study was employed. Questionnaires were administered to 67 consenting midwives working in six selected facilities, which collectively accounted for 96% of deliveries in the metropolis. A retrospective record review was conducted on 285 partographs. Descriptive statistics were computed and the Chi-square (χ²) test was used to determine associations between selected variables and partograph utilisation, Results Overall partograph documentation completeness was 75%. Labour progression factors had the highest section-level completeness (91%), while maternal pre-risk factors had the lowest section completeness (53%). Among individual variables, the age of the client was the least documented (2%), whereas gravida was fully documented (100%). The average knowledge score on partograph application was 73% across 10 assessed components. The lowest knowledge domain was the interpretation of partograph observations (27%). Conclusions Partograph documentation and midwife knowledge in the Cape Coast Metropolis fell short of the anticipated 90% standard. There is a need for structured mentorship, routine in-service training, and supervisory support, for midwives to enhance skills, completeness and interpretation of the partograph.