Assessment of Midwives’ Knowledge, Practice, and Facility Readiness for Intrapartum Care in Secondary Health Facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Maternal mortality remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where many deaths occur during the intrapartum period. This study assessed midwives’ knowledge, practice, and facility readiness for intrapartum care in three secondary health facilities in Maiduguri Metropolis, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. All 43 eligible labour-ward midwives were approached; 41 completed the questionnaire (95.3% response rate), and complete clinical observation records were available for 35. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, an observational checklist, and a facility assessment checklist and analysed descriptively using SPSS version 25. Among questionnaire respondents, 78.0% had a high level of knowledge. Among the 35 observed midwives, 53.9% demonstrated a high level of practice. Facility readiness was inadequate, with shortages or non-functionality of essential drugs, equipment, and monitoring tools, including partographs and neonatal resuscitation equipment. The findings indicate that comparatively strong knowledge was not consistently matched by optimal practice or an adequately equipped care environment. Strengthening commodity supply, equipment maintenance, supportive supervision, and continuing professional development is therefore required.