The Preterm Birth Rate in a Resource-Stricken Rural Area of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Figures & data

Table 1 List of Selected Facilities and Population Sampled

Districts Selected	Selected District Hospitals	Number of Midwives Sampled
Capricorn	Four (4)	20
Vhembe	Four (4)	15
Sekhukhune	Four (4)	20
Total	Twelve (12)	55
Total participants	55

Table 2 Age Distribution, Qualification and Years of Experience in Current Position

Age Group	Number (%)	Qualification	Number (%)	No. of Years	Number (%)
20–24	3 (55) %	Diploma	50 (90.9%)	1–5 yrs.	3 (5.5%)
25–34	15 (27%)	Degree	3 (5.5%)	5–10 yrs.	30 (54.5%)
35–44	15 (27%)	Postgraduate Specialty	2 (3.6%)	10 years and above	22 (40%)
45–54	10 (18%)
55–64	11(20%)
65	1(1.8%)
Total	55 (100%)	55 (100%)	55 (100%)	55 (100%)	55 (100%)

Table 3 Care to Prevent Preterm Birth During Antenatal

Midwives Role in Antenatal Care:	Responses
	Agree		Disagree
Item No.	Number	%	Number		%
1. Midwives ensured that pregnant booked their antenatal care before 12 weeks of their gestational period for proper screening and planning the proper care to reduce risks of preterm birth.	16	29.1	39		70.9
2. They Kept pregnant women records from the first visit until the commencement of labor so that they have a proper baseline	43	78.2	12		21.8
3. Midwives took specimens required for the investigations of medical conditions predisposing to preterm birth	52	96.3	3		3.7
4. Take and record the baseline vital signs to notice the deviation from normal and picking up risky conditions on time	54	98.2	1		1.8
5. Followed up the specimens to get hold of the results to attend to adverse outcomes and refer to the doctor for further management	51	92.7	4		7.3
6. Referrals of the mother’s doctors, Psychologists, advanced midwives, or dieticians.	50	90.9	5		9.1
7. Assess the mothers for other infections that can lead to preterm labor	54	98.1	1		1.9
8. Assess and classify pregnant women as low or high risk and manage appropriately	52	96.2			3.8
9. Make sure make pregnant mother attended recommended visits	45	81.1	10		18.9

Table 4 Care to Prevent Preterm Birth if Contractions Start

Midwives’ Role in Intrapartum/Labor Care:	Responses
	Agree		Disagree
Item No.	Number	%	Number	%
1. Thoroughly admitted the woman per the protocol in the labor room.	52	94.4	3	5.6
2. Make sure that all pregnant mothers with previous history of preterm labor are managed at the hospital.	53	96.2	2	3.8
3. Give all pregnant mothers steroids if they present with advanced labor pains before referral to ensure fetal lung maturity.	30	54.7	25	45.3
4. Give the woman drugs to stop the contractions if she is less than 3cm dilated	47	85.2	8	14.8
5. Monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contraction closely	53	96.2	2	3.8
6. Keep the woman informed about the labor progress treatment regimen and the status of the fetus to gain cooperation	30	54.7	25	45.3
7. If labor progresses, ensure that episiotomy is performed to allow space for the small premature head to be delivered with ease.	37	67.8	18	32.9
8. Ensure the labor room is ready to receive a premature neonate	51	94.4	4	5.6
9. Call for a pediatrician when anticipating preterm birth.	37	67.9	18	32.1
10. The nursery staff should be alerted of the premature birth timely	47	85.2	8	14.8
11.Make sure the resuscitation trolley is always available with radiant warmer to prevent hypothermia	52	94.4	3	33.7
12. Ensure that the labor unit is provided with trained neonatal/pediatrics nurse covering all shifts.	18	33.7	37	67.3

Table 5 Available Resources (Staff, Equipment, Drugs, and Medical Supplies) to Prevent Preterm Birth

The Support Anticipated by Midwives in the Units is:	Responses
	Agree		Disagree
Item No.	Number	%	Number	%
1. That maternity units have policies in place	47	86.2	8	13.8
2. They are provided midwives with all equipment needed to provide quality care (cardiotocograph, radian warmers, etc.)	19	34	36	66
3. They have a doctor/ specialist designated for the neonatal unit for 24/7.	21	38.2	34	61.8
4. There is adequate staff coverage for 24 hours.	14	25.4	41	74.6
5. Provide special room for preterm babies.	42	76.4	13	23.6
6. All units have adequate medical supplies (drugs, gloves, etc.)	19	34	36	66

Abbreviations: ANC, antenatal care; BABC, basic antenatal care; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; PTB, preterm birth; SANC, South African nursing council; SPSS, Statistical Package of Social Sciences; USA, United States of America.