Abstract
ObjectiveTo develop a scale for evaluating knowledge and practice of midwives on Respectful Maternity Care (RMC).MethodsAn exploratory sequential mixed method study was conducted from January 2018 to July 2019 in two non-teaching public hospitals in Tehran, Iran. In the first part of the study, a literature review and qualitative study were carried out in order to develop the preliminary item pool. Then face, content and construct validity and reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) were assessed.ResultsThe MKP-RMC scale has 23-item in knowledge and 23-item in practice section that loaded in three factors: Giving emotional support, providing safe care and preventing mistreatment. Exploratory factor analysis accounted for 43.47% and 58.62% of observed variance in knowledge and practice sections, respectively. The internal consistency and internal correlation coefficient of both section of MKP-RMC indicated acceptable reliability.ConclusionThe MKP-RMC is a valid and reliable tool for measuring midwives' knowledge and practice of respectful care during labor and childbirth. The MKP-RMC could be used in maternity services to evaluate and improve quality of childbirth care through development of educational interventions for effective behavioral change. Confirmation of validity and reliability of translated version of the scale in other maternity care providers and different contexts is recommended.
Highlights
The efforts for improving maternal health are changing from an emphasis on enhancing maternity service use to improving quality of care worldwide [1]
There is a consensus that promoting Respectful Maternal Care (RMC) is an important approach to improve the quality of maternity care and service utilization [2]
This study developed and assessed the psychometric properties of Midwives’ Knowledge and Practice on Respectful Maternity Care (MKP-RMC) scale using an exploratory sequential mixed method approach
Summary
The efforts for improving maternal health are changing from an emphasis on enhancing maternity service use to improving quality of care worldwide [1]. RMC is based on essential rights of laboring women, babies and their families It emphasis on evidence-based childbirth care and refers to care delivered to all women in a way that preserves their dignity, privacy and confidentiality, supports informed choice and continuous support for labouring women, ensures preventing disrespect and abuse during labour and childbirth [3]. As behavioral change of providers has been recognized as the main barrier to better care [6], improving providers’ awareness of principles of RMC has become an essential component for implementation of RMC and improving childbirth experience worldwide [7, 8]. There is a need for specific and practical tool for evaluating knowledge and performance of midwives to improve maternity and childbirth care
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