Study to assess the labour room standards of 24×7 PHCs in Kurnool district

Abstract

Background: Most of the causes of maternal and neonatal mortality were preventable through effective primary health care. Primary health care is essential to provide maternal and child health care especially in rural areas. The objective of this study is to assess the labour room standards of 24×7 PHCs in the Kurnool district.Methods: This study is a facility based cross sectional study carried out from November 2014-May 2015 in administrative limits of Kurnool district. Questionnaire is attempted to assess the standards of labour room of that PHC by obtaining information about following standards - Infrastructure in labour room, Infection Prevention, Drugs and supplies etc.Results: Majority (66.67%) of 24×7 PHCs had availability of <6 beds and 33.33% of 24×7 PHCs had availability of ≥6 beds. All PHCs had availability of stepping stool, ensured privacy during delivery and new born care corner. All PHCs had availability of running water facility, majority of PHCs (90.47%) had availability of antiseptics, 14/21 (66.67%) of PHCs had provision of HLD and 12/21 (57.14%) of PHCs had provision of sterilization facilities. no PHC had availability of functional ambulance and all PHCs were utilizing 108 facility for referral transport.Conclusions: Availability of infrastructure facilities, infection prevention facilities, equipment and laboratory services were adequate in most of the PHCs. No PHCs were practicing segregation of bio medical wastes and there was deficiency in availability of antiseptics. No PHCs were provided with ambulance facility which was major concern in addressing the second delay.