Journal of Pregnancy and Newborncare

Abstract

Perinatal morbidity is defined as presence of the disease which occurs as a result of side effect influences of treatment acting either on a fetus during pregnancy or newborn during the first week of life Young, [1]. The perinatal morbidity rates continue to increase despite the advancing maternal and neonatal care services in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. Its prevention has major medical, social and economic costs. In the developing countries, the risk of perinatal morbidity is six times greater than in the developed countries; in the least developed countries it is over eight times higher. Globally, studies have shown that prematurity was observed to be a challenge and contributes to 40-80% of perinatal morbidity.Hernandez-Rivas, Flores-Le Roux, Benaiges, Sagarra, et al [2]. Indicated that gestational diabetes mellitus occurs in 3-9% of pregnancies in the Spanish population and is associated with high perinatal morbidity. Furthermore, Adegoke, Atiyaye, Abubakar, Auta and Aboda [3] maintained that Nigeria is one of the 57 countries experiencing shortage of human resources for health and severe shortage of midwives. In addition, inefficient utilization of the Partograph which is graphical presentation of the progress of labour, fetal and maternal wellbeing add to the burden of perinatal morbidity. Therefore, early recognition of these factors is very critical for the prevention Abstract Background: Perinatal morbidity is defined as presence of the disease which occurs as a result of side effect influences of treatment acting either on a foetus during pregnancy or new-born during the first week of life. High perinatal morbidity rates cause sub-optimal outcomes, which are common, and might impair subsequent developmental milestones of children or sound function of families, and increase health care cost. The maternity and neonatal units should be staffed with advance midwives, obstetricians, neonatal intensive care trained nurses, neonatologists and paediatricians.Research Question: What are factors contributing to high perinatal morbidity rates in the Mankweng-Polokwane Complex of the Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa?Objective: To identify factors that contribute to high perinatal morbidity rates in Mankweng-Polokwane Complex of the Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods:The study implemented a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive research designs. Simple random sampling was used to ensure that all respondents had an equal chance of been selected. The sample comprised 66 respondents who were allocated in labour and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Mankweng and Polokwane Campuses. The questionnaires that contained closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, completed and returned, except for 3 of them. Content validity was ensured through intense literature review and consultations with subject expects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data.Results: Data revealed that shortage of staff, overcrowding of pat...

Exploring student midwives’ experiences regarding completion of the midwifery register at a nursing college in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…Another study confirmed that student midwives were seen as a division of workforce, as they were expected to manage pregnant women without supervision. [6,14] In this regard, students absented themselves, as they did not want to be used as part of the workforce in the units. [6] It is imperative that every unit should be provided with clinical learning outcomes so that the learning needs of students are always taken into consideration.…”

“…A shortage of clinical teaching resources has been highlighted, in particular in rural settings in SA. [14,23] In these situations, only partial teaching and learning took place, which resulted in challenges regarding completion of the midwifery register.…”