Department of Nursing and Midwifery

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Browsing Department of Nursing and Midwifery by browse.metadata.advisor "Bester, E."

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    'n Evaluering van die voorkoms van perineale trauma tydens verlossings in openbare gesondheidsinstellings in die Wes-Kaap : 'n verpleegkundige perspektief
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-04) Smit, Ilze; Bester, E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine Health Sciences . Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Nursing Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It appears that registered midwives prefer not to cut episiotomies which results in an increase in perineal tears. This may be the case as a result of current controversies regarding episiotomies, lack of suturing skills due to insufficient training and evaluation, or the fact that the necessity of an episiotomy are not recognised timeously. In light of this the incidence of perineal trauma during deliveries in public healthcare institutions in the Western Cape was evaluated from a nursing perspective. The midwife can playa significant role in the prevention of unnecessary perineal trauma by applying particular precautions in practice. Triangulation was used as the research method. Seven public healthcare institutions in the Western Cape were included in this study. Nurses completed 45 questionnaires while 33 deliveries and 25 cases of suturing of perineal wounds were evaluated according to a pre-compiled checklist. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with registered midwives and medical practitioners involved in the training of nursing students. According to findings it appears that nurses do not recognise the risk factors to be contributory causes of perineal tears. Furthermore, it appeared that 46% of registered midwives did not feel competent enough to suture perineal wounds. Disparities were identified pertaining to the training of student nurses as well as the continuous training and evaluation of registered midwives regarding the suturing of perineal wounds. It is recommended that a uniform policy should be formulated concerning guidelines for the cut and suturing of episiotomies and lacerations. Furthermore, a uniform classification system regarding perineal trauma should be formulated as well as a uniform system to evaluate the competency of midwives.