Knowledge and perceptions of potential factors contributing to birth asphyxia in a selected mother and child hospital in Gauteng Province

Abstract

Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal mortality worldwide resulting in neonatal mortality and morbidity. Birth asphyxia is the fifth largest cause of death in children under the age of 5 years. According to WHO of the 130 million babies born every year, about 4 million die in the first 4 weeks of life. To determine midwives’ knowledge and perceptions of potential factors contributing to birth asphyxia in a selected mother and child hospital in Gauteng Province. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. The population included 72 midwives and advanced midwives working in the maternity and neonatal departments in a selected hospital in Gauteng province. Probability sampling was used to select the total population in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24 to analyse data. The results were presented in the form of tables with frequencies and percentages and the use of bar and pie charts. Validity and reliability were ensured during the process of data collection and through the pilot study, to ensure that the results are accurate as possible. The results indicated that there is still so much training and awareness that need to be done on factors contributing to birth asphyxia, as it seems like most midwives do not have much knowledge of factors contributing to birth asphyxia. The results indicated positive results that midwives know the management of pregnant women during antenatal care, labour, and the postnatal period. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends further research on the same topic or theme as the study was done only on one hospital that falls under the City of Johannesburg instead of the whole six hospitals and two community healthcare centres found in the City of Johannesburg. Other research on the management and attitude of nurses towards birth asphyxia should be pursued.