Maternal and child health is a cornerstone of national development, emphasizing the need for safe and effective childbirth practices to ensure the well-being of mothers and their infants. Despite global, national, and subnational interventions—including those under the Sustainable Development Goals—maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain high in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Childbirth Checklist was developed as a practical tool to improve the quality of maternal care and reduce preventable childbirth complications. This study assessed the awareness and utilization of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist among midwives practicing in health institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected from midwives through structured questionnaires, and analyses were performed to determine levels of awareness, frequency of checklist use, and factors influencing its implementation. Findings revealed that while a significant proportion of midwives were aware of the checklist, its consistent application in clinical practice was limited due to factors such as inadequate training, high patient-to-midwife ratios, and limited institutional support. The study underscores the critical need for targeted training, policy reinforcement, and systemic support to enhance the adoption of the checklist, thereby improving maternal and neonatal outcomes in the region. Strengthening midwives’ knowledge and practical use of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist could significantly contribute to reducing preventable maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in line with global health targets.
Eze et al. (Tue,) studied this question.