ATTITUDE OF NIGERIAN PARTURIENTS TO COMPANIONSHIP IN LABOUR AND ASSESSEMENT OF THEIR CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Background: The positive effects of social support during labour are well
documented. Against our rich cultural background, our women’s perceptions of
the intervention and their preferred supporter are unknown. In developing
countries, women’s perceptions of quality of maternity services are important
determinants for their use, yet parturients’ viewpoints have received little attention.
A woman’s satisfaction with her childbirth experience has immediate and long-term
implications for her and her newborn’s health and well-being.
Aims: This prospective study aimed to determine the attitude of Nigerian
parturients to social support in labour and who their preferred supporter is; assess
their level of satisfaction with their childbirth experience and reasons responsible.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey of parturients views and
attitudes toward companionship in labour and assessment of their childbirth
experience in Nigerian women with uncomplicated, term vaginal deliveries was
conducted. Structured interviews were conducted within 48 hours of delivery, in
eight public facilities (selected using multi-stage random sampling), offering varying
levels of healthcare delivery.
Results: Five hundred and twelve parturients, between ages 15 and 41 years,
predominately married and of low parity, from various ethnic groups, were
interviewed. Most women had at least secondary school education. Only 29.9%
and 13.1% of the women respectively had ever heard of or experienced social
support in labour. While 59.4% desired to have a companion in labour, the husband
was the preferred supporter of 43.6% of women. Overall satisfaction with intra
partum care was rated >75% by 56.6% of women, and those in secondary and
primary healthcare facilities received more mother-friendly care and better support
in labour than those in tertiary centres (p< 0.05). Factors parturients considered
important during childbirth were: staff attitude, their reception into labour ward,
labour room tidiness and good pain relief, in that order.
Conclusion/ Recommendations: Acceptance of social support was found
comparable to another African study. Education and ethnicity had significant
effects on awareness and acceptance of social support and the childbirth
experience. Culture is an important variable influencing women’s perception of the
childbearing experience and cultural perspectives must be considered by
caregivers. Greater advocacy for female literacy is vital. A more mother-friendly
and supportive practice needs to be integrated into the tertiary healthcare facility
level especially and across-board generally.

ATTITUDE OF NIGERIAN PARTURIENTS TO COMPANIONSHIP IN LABOUR AND ASSESSEMENT OF THEIR CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE