Strategies to Reduce High Perinatal Morbidity in the Selected Tertiary Hospitals of the Capricorn District in Limpopo Province, South Africa

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 or neonate during the first week of life. In the developing countries, the risk of perinatal morbidity is 6 times greater than in the developed countries; in the least developed countries it is over 8 times higher. High perinatal morbidity rates cause sub-optimal outcomes, which are common, and may impair subsequent developmental milestones of children or sound function of families, and might increase health care cost. The study aimed at developing strategies to reduce high perinatal morbidity. The study was conducted at the two selected tertiary hospital. A quantitative, cross sectional and descriptive research design was used. The population comprised of eighty (80)  midwives allocated in neonatal intensive care and labour units. Simple random sampling was used to select 66 respondents who participated in the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested and validated self-developed questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. The study revealed that shortage of staff, overcrowding of patients, and work overload of staff, lack of equipment and supplies, absenteeism, resignation and prematurity were contributory factors. The strategies aimed at reducing high perinatal morbidity are a priority for public health policies around the world. The study recommends that all midwives working in maternity and neonatal units should be upgraded in terms of the management of pregnant woman and sick neonates.