A study exploring midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: to explore midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy. Design: survey using questionnaire and interview schedule. Participants: a randomly selected sample of 77 Registered Midwives. Setting: one English regional health authority. Measurements and findings: qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Midwife teachers were responsible for 95% of teaching in nutrition. 86% of midwives had received no education in nutrition following qualification. 46% of midwives achieved a poor score in nutrition knowledge. Considerable numbers of midwives felt unprepared to offer dietary advice to women from ethnic minority groups (36%), vegetarians (66%) and to women with pre-existing medical conditions (41%). Key conclusion: midwives require more education in nutrition both during basic education and following qualification. Implications for education practice: nutritional issues should be included in continuing education programmes available to qualified midwives.