Clinical Equipment as a Potential Impediment to Optimal Intrapartum Monitoring and Delivery for Pregnant Women in South Africa

Clinical equipment is essential in a labour unit to assess, monitor, diagnose, and prevent complications during labour. The availability of good working equipment in the labour unit is needed to enhance optimal intrapartum monitoring and delivery for pregnant women. Thus, this paper employed a cross-sectional descriptive design using a quantitative research approach to ascertain how equipment impedes optimal intrapartum monitoring and delivery for pregnant women. A total of 59 midwives were recruited to participate in the study. Data collected using an electronic structured questionnaire were analysed with descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The study reported that most midwives (68%) in labour units experienced barriers to using equipment when administering care to pregnant women. The barriers were perpetuated by various factors, such as bed capacity, in meeting patient demands, including examination lights, overhead radiant warmers, and examination weighing scales for newborns. Incorporating mandatory computerized maintenance management software is recommended to improve the quality of maternity equipment. In addition, there is a need for regular equipment inspections and maintenance by skilled technicians in selected hospitals of Limpopo Province, South Africa.