A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Nursing Management of First Stage of Labour Among Final Year GNM Students of Selected School of Nursing, Belgaum, Karnataka

Background India is one of the countries with a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) as high as 540 per 100, 000 live births and neo-natal mortality rate (NMR) of 34 per1000 live births comprising 60 % of all infant deaths. (3) The first stage of labour is the longest in duration as compare to the other two stages. Early identification of complications and prevention helps a long way in reducing maternal fetal morbidity and mortality. Objectives To assess the knowledge of final year GNM students regarding nursing management of first stage of labour by using structured knowledge questionnaire, to find the association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables. Material and methods Data were collected by using structured knowledge questionnaire. The demographic variables analyzed in the study were age, sex, religion and source of information. The study sample was selected by a non- probability convenience sampling technique. Data obtained were tabulated and analyzed in terms of objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The study revealed that 16 (47.06 %) had average knowledge, 10 (29.41 %) had poor knowledge and 8 (23.53 %) had good knowledge. Chi square value for age was 1.26, sex was 16.39, religion was 32.25, and source of information was 49.7. There was significant association between knowledge scores and sex and source of information. There was no association between the knowledge and age and religion of the Final year GNM students. Conclusion The findings of the study revealed that educating the students would be effective in updating the knowledge and skills regarding management of first stage of labour.