A board game could help reduce the rate of maternal mortality in Africa. The game named Progression was designed by the University of Manchester School of Nursing and Midwifery. Designed using diagrams, it is supposed to help midwives follow procedures.
The partograph (graphic trace of important observations taken during childbirth), lists criteria such as the heart rate, blood pressure and temperature of the pregnant patient. It is used to spot problems that may arise during childbirth.
The creators of the game noticed that midwives often have trouble viewing the diagram properly when making decisions. Therefore, the mortality and maternal disorders, which could be preventable, are not especially preventable in developing countries, where it remains a major health problem.
In the Progression game, observations of a woman giving birth are listed. As the players move forward on the board, they may come across positions where you have to choose a card with a question. You have to answer the question to be able to move forward in the game.
A trial of 165 midwives in East Africa showed the effectiveness of the game.
“The most important benefit of this game is that it allows midwives to make mistakes without endangering real lives,” Professor Dame Tina Lavender, who led the project, told the BBC. She adds, “The game is about bringing in new knowledge, reviewing what they already know and discussing with other players the best ways to support women. The impressions of midwives working in these countries during the trial were completely positive. “
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