A Step Towards Lowering Maternal Mortality: Adoption of Elements of WHO’s Safe Childbirth Checklist at A Tertiary Care Hospital of Rawalpindi, Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract Background: Use of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) has been associated with a significant reduction of maternal mortality. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted at a tertiary care hospital of Rawalpindi in labour room and postnatal ward from February 2018 to July 2018. A sample size of 359 was estimated using WHO sample size calculator and were enrolled using purposive sampling technique. A close ended WHO standardized questionnaire covering the 22 elements of WHO SCC was used. Frequencies and percentages were documented of variables and data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Mean age of participants was 27 ± 4.25 years. On admission, it was observed that being centre of excellence and referral, there was 100% availability of gloves and supplies to clean hands before and after each vaginal examination. Just before pushing or caesarean, it was found that in 342 (95.3%) patients, assistant was identified to help at time of birth. Immediately after one hour of birth, it was noted that 79 (22%) patients were bleeding abnormally and were immediately addressed. We also found out that only 79 (22%) of the mothers were counselled regarding family planning. Almost half of the participant mothers 182 (50.7%) or their companions were counselled regarding danger signs and to seek care immediately which should have been 100%. Conclusion: Excellent adoption of some of the element up to 100% was observed while some of the elements of checklist were poorly adopted; noticeable was counselling regarding family planning options immediate postpartum.