EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NURSES’ USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED LABOR INTERVENTIONS AND THE DURATION OF LABOR: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based labor interventions such as continuous support, freedom of movement, spontaneous pushing, and non-pharmacological pain management have been shown to positively influence maternal outcomes. However, their consistent use in clinical practice remains variable, which may affect labor duration and overall maternal experience. Aim: The study aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ use of evidence-based labor interventions and the duration of labor among primiparous women at Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat. Methods: A quantitative correlational design was employed. Data were collected retrospectively from 150 medical records of primiparous women with term, singleton pregnancies who experienced spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery without complications. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Scores (0–4) were assigned based on documented use of four interventions. Labor duration was measured in hours, and additional variables such as maternal age, BMI, epidural and oxytocin use, and infant birth weight were extracted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression with SPSS version 28. Results: The majority of participants (53.3%) had a labor duration of 6–10 hours, and 30% of nurses documented the use of two evidence-based interventions. A significant negative correlation was found between EBP Scores and labor duration (r = -0.42, p < 0.001), indicating that higher use of evidence-based practices was associated with shorter labor. Conclusion: The findings highlight the positive impact of nurses’ use of evidence-based labor interventions in reducing labor duration. Standardization of these practices and ongoing professional training are recommended to improve maternal outcomes