Role of Nursing Students in Labor Monitoring with Partograph: A Cross sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The partograph is an essential tool for monitoring labor progress and preventing obstetric complications. Despite its importance, gaps in knowledge and usage persist among nursing students. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of partograph utilization among final-year nursing students in a selected college in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 173 final-year nursing students using a structured 26-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize frequencies and mean scores. Inferential analysis included the Chi-square test to examine associations between knowledge level and sociodemographic variables and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of knowledge score. RESULTS: Most participants (69.9%) had average knowledge, 15.6% demonstrated good knowledge, and 14.4% had poor knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 14.8 ± 4.4. A significant association was observed between qualification and knowledge level ( P = 0.027). Linear regression analysis revealed that qualification significantly predicted knowledge score, with B.Sc. Nursing ( B = 2.34, P = 0.002) and Post Basic B. Sc. Nursing ( B = 2.08, P = 0.021) students scoring higher than General Nursing and Midwifery students. The regression model was statistically significant ( F = 4.212, P < 0.01), explaining 18.3% of the variance in knowledge scores (adjusted R 2 = 0.183). CONCLUSION: Despite moderate average knowledge, gaps exist in clinical application. Curricular reforms and simulation-based training are recommended to improve competency in partograph utilization.