METHODOLOGY
3.1. Study design
This was a descriptive study on the outcome using both
qualitative and quantitative research methods. A cross section survey was
chosen for the study. Systematic random sampling was used for selection of the
study participants.
3.2. Study period:
This study was conducted over a period of 4 months (March to June
2009).
3.3. Study site
This study was carried out in the Fako Division of the Southwest
Region of Cameroon specifically at the Maternity unit of the Buea Regional
Hospital annex.
Figure 6: Sketch diagram of BRHA.
1 2 3
4
5
6
Legend
|
1.
|
Nursery
|
5.
|
Toilet and sink
|
|
2.
|
Vestry
|
6.
|
Labour room
|
|
3.
|
Nurse's station
|
7.
|
Postnatal wards
|
|
4.
|
Delivery room
|
8.
|
Bathroom and Toilet
|
The hospital has various units: the emergency unit, surgical
unit, theatre, medical unit, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis treatment centers, the
maternity, family planning center, the pharmacy and mortuary departments.
The maternity unit of this hospital was used for the study. It
is a first referral unit of choice, made up of a variety of staff : Doctors,
Nurses, and support staff. It is headed by a Head of Personnel. (see organigram
of hospital below)
Financial Unit
Pharmacy
Personnel
Head of Stores accountant Unit
Director of medical
Services Assistant
HIV/AIDS and TB
Centers
Surgical Unit Emergency Unit
Maternity Medical Unit
Board of
Directors
Family Planning
Center
Head of
Personnel
Administrative
Unit
Figure 7. Organigram of the BRHA
3.4. Study population
Women in the maternity ward who are receiving postpartum care
after delivery in the Hospital. The questionnaire was in the English language
and was self-administered. Illiterate patients had the questionnaire read and
translated to them in pidgin and the responses were indicated by the
researcher.
3.5. Sampling method
The sampling method used was systemic random sampling. Women
present in the ward who had been delivered of their babies at least one day ago
either per vagina or emergency caesarian sections were served the
questionnaire
3.5.1. Inclusion criteria
Women who put to birth per vagina or through emergency caesarian
section and had been in the ward for at least 24 hours were included in the
study.
3.5.2. Exclusion Criteria
Women who did not meet the above criteria were excluded from the
study.
3.6. Sample size
We chose a convenient sample size of 37 including all age
groups.
3.7. Data collection procedure
The main tool for data collection was a self-administered
questionnaire. Before data collection was done, a letter of authorization was
collected from the Dean of the Faculty of health sciences, University of Buea.
Questionnaires were then administered from the 23rd of April to the
12th of May 2010.
3.7.1. Validity of the instrument
The questionnaire was pretested in Mount Mary maternity. Some
questions were then modified or reformulated to adapt to the local
conditions.
3.7.2. Data Entry and Analysis
Data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and
the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS version 14.0. Descriptive
statistics including frequency, means, percentage and standard deviation were
employed. The results were presented in tables, pie charts and bar charts.
3.8. Ethical considerations
v' Informed consent.
v' Respondents were given a verbal consent before the
questionnaires were administered to them.
v' Confidentiality and privacy
v' Respondents remain anonymous and respect given to their
privacy.
v' All information collected was kept by the researcher until
presentation.
3.9. Budget
This project took an estimated cost of 150.000 CFA francs.
| 
