Abstract
Advising women on haemorrhage in pregnancy could be viewed as an integral aspect of maternal health care in Malawi. The WHO (1999) confirmed that haemorrhage in pregnancy was not only a direct reason for maternal mortality but also a major cause of maternal death. The question on the nature of information that midwives and traditional birth attendants (referred to as TBA's) in the Chiradzulu district in Malawi gave with regard to haemorrhage in pregnancy, therefore arose. Research available focused on the women's knowledge about the complications of pregnancy but not on the nature of information women received from midwives and TBA's. This study explored and described the nature of information that was given to rural women in the Chiradzulu district by the midwives and TBA's regarding haemorrhage in pregnancy. The findings revealed that although both the midwives and TBA's included important information about haemorrhage in pregnancy, there were deficiencies in some critical areas. Examples of these deficiencies were the definition of haemorrhage in pregnancy; the predisposing factors for antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage and deficiencies in the nature of information on the management and referral of haemorrhaging patients.
Highlights
Introduction and background to the problemMalawi is a small, landlocked developing country south of the equator in subSaharan Africa
M aternal health information is an essential aspect of maternal health care, and inform ation on com plications of pregnancy, including haemorrhage
Inform ation on haem orrhage in pregnancy is essential as women should be made aware that haemorrhage is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, in order for them to appreciate the need to seek early emergency care for haemorrhage and thereby reduce maternal morbidity and mortality
Summary
Malawi is a small, landlocked developing country south of the equator in subSaharan Africa. It has a population of approximately 10 million people (The World Fact Book, 2006). The main providers of health care at all three levels are midwives and traditional birth. Registered midwives were trained at university level whilst TBA’s received basic non-professional training to provide services in rural areas where women doesn’t have access to modem m aternal health services. M aternal health information is an essential aspect of maternal health care, and inform ation on com plications of pregnancy, including haemorrhage. Inform ation on haem orrhage in pregnancy is essential as women should be made aware that haemorrhage is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, in order for them to appreciate the need to seek early emergency care for haemorrhage and thereby reduce maternal morbidity and mortality
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