Care For Women Research Articles

The far-reaching burden of Hyperemesis Gravidarum – an exploration of women’s experiences and perceptions of healthcare support

ABSTRACT Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a rare condition of pregnancy that exerts a profound effect on a woman’s physical and psychological health, but limited research regarding women’s perceptions of healthcare for this condition exists. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the personal and healthcare experiences of women with HG. Eligible participants included women who had experienced HG in a current or recent pregnancy and were referred to the dietitian at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Suitable women were invited to participate by letter, with a follow-up phone call to confirm eligibility. Four semi-structured focus groups were conducted (n = 11). Audio recordings were transcribed and data was thematically analyzed using an inductive, data-driven approach. Participants emphasized the psychological hardship of HG, which manifested in many different ways, and unveiled the far-reaching burden of HG. Women advocated for a dedicated service for HG and the need for increased knowledge, understanding and support for HG, in order to ensure optimal HG management and woman-centered care. Women also highlighted the need for obvious clinical leadership of HG and a continuum of care throughout pregnancy and post-partum. Improvements to the day ward setting and access to HG-specific mental health support would be welcomed. At a government level, timely resolution of the financial assistance for first-line anti-emetics is needed. Overall, greater awareness and understanding of the condition is needed to improve support from family, friends and colleagues. Further research is warranted to determine whether these recommendations would result in improved pregnancy outcomes.

Critical appraisal of the emergency management of cardiac conditions during pregnancy in an Egyptian tertiary unit: Newness in paradigms

The relevance of the multidisciplinary team of cardiology, obstetrics, and clinical pathology has increased and now demands cooperation to manage cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy. A diverse and skilled team (the "pregnancy heart team") should ideally be included early in the pregnant woman's care when she comes with an acute cardiovascular issue during gestation. Acute cardiac disorders that may develop during pregnancy include heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, aortic and thromboembolic events, and mechanical heart valves. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of pregnancy-related fatalities in underdeveloped countries [1]. Increasing maternal age and concomitant conditions increased maternal death rates. A multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics-clinical pathology team must provide preconception counselling to women with pre-existing cardiac issues or a history of preeclampsia. To reduce maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and in the first year after birth, this team must be included as soon as possible. The basics of cardiovascular disease during pregnancy should be understood by both cardiovascular and primary care professionals. The diagnosis and emergency therapy of severe cardiovascular disease during pregnancy at Al-Azhar University, a tertiary care facility in Egypt, are covered in this scholarly research, which also highlights the novelty of paradigms for managing such situations in low-resource countries.

What women want: A reflexive thematic analysis of the healthcare experiences of women with female genital mutilation/cutting in South Australia

BackgroundGlobal migration has seen an increase in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) cases observed in countries where it is not part of the cultural norm. This shift has led to many healthcare professionals (HCPs) reporting a lack of knowledge and skills necessary to support the needs of women with FGM/C. AimTo explore the experiences and needs of women with FGM/C accessing women’s health services in South Australia. MethodsWomen with FGM/C were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. The voice recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis to determine themes. FindingsTen migrant and refugee women living in South Australia, were interviewed. Four themes and 13-subthemes were identified. The main themes were, 1) the healthcare experience, 2) cultural values shape the healthcare experience, 3) speaking up about female genital cutting and 4) working together to improve healthcare experiences. DiscussionWomen’s cultural needs, not their health needs, play a fundamental role on how women experienced healthcare services. When women’s cultural values and traditions are acknowledged by HCPs, they are more likely to trust and feel confident to engage with services and seek medical support. Areas identified for improvement included access to the right interpreters, having more time during appointments, opportunities for continuity of care and the inclusion of family in care and treatment decisions. ConclusionWomen with FGM/C have specific health and cultural needs that can be met through education and provision of woman-centred care.

Evaluation of woman-centred care status by Iranian midwives and providing strategies to improve women-centred care: A sequential explanatory mixed method study protocol.

The present study aimed to evaluate the status of WCC provided by Iranian midwives. A sequential explanatory mixed method study protocol. The present study was conducted in three phases: quantitative, qualitative and mixed. The first phase is a cross-sectional study that will be performed on midwives working in health centres, public and private hospitals in Iranian. The second phase is a qualitative study, in which purposeful sampling will be used, meaning that the midwives who are part of the extreme cases according to the results of quantitative phase and are willing and able to express their own experiences regarding WCC will be selected. Also, pregnant and parturient women under their cover will also be interviewed. Finally, in the mixed phase, we will use a combination of two quantitative and qualitative studies, a literature review and expert opinion using a Delphi method to provide strategies to improve and promote WCC in midwives. Achieving this goal is expected to provide positive outcomes such as strengthening the midwives professional relationship with women and reducing health care costs. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Achieving international consensus on the concept of woman-centred care: A Delphi study

ProblemThere is no internationally-informed understanding of how midwives perceive woman-centred care and use it in practice. BackgroundWoman-centred care is integral to the role of the midwife and to determining standards of practice. Few empirical studies have explored the meaning of woman-centred care, and those that have are limited to country specific research. AimTo gain an in-depth understanding and consensus on the concept of woman-centred care from an international perspective. MethodsA three round Delphi study was conducted, with surveys distributed online to a group of international expert midwives to draw consensus on the topic of woman-centred care. FindingsA panel of 59 expert midwives representing 22 countries participated. Fifty-nine statements about woman-centred care, of which 63% of statements reached the 75% a priori agreement level, were developed and categorised under four emergent themes: defining characteristics of woman-centred care (n = 17), the role of the midwife in woman-centred care (n = 19), woman-centred care and systems of care (n = 18), woman-centred care in education and research (n = 5). DiscussionParticipants agreed that woman-centred care should be provided by any health care professional in any health care setting. Systems of maternity care should provide holistic care tailored for the individual woman rather than subject her to routine practices and policies. Although continuity of care is important to midwifery practice, it was not reported as a core characteristic of woman-centred care. ConclusionThis is the first study to investigate the concept of woman-centred care as it is experienced globally by midwives. The findings of this study will be used to contribute to the development of an internationally informed evidence-based definition of woman-centred care.

Pregnant women’s perception of midwifery-led continuity care model in Ethiopia: a qualitative study

BackgroundA Midwifery-led continuity care (MLCC) model is the provision of care by a known midwife (caseload model) or a team of midwives (team midwifery model) for women throughout the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal period. Evidence shows that a MLCC model becomes the first choice for women and improves maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Despite this, little is known about pregnant women’s perception of the MLCC model in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore pregnant women’s perception and experience of a MLCC model in Ethiopia.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Gurage zone public hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, from May 1st to 15th, 2022. Three focused group discussions and eight in-depth interviews were conducted among pregnant women who were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data were first transcribed and then translated from Amharic (local language) to English. Finally, the thematic analysis technique using open code software was used for analysis.ResultsThematic analysis revealed that women want a continuity of care model. Four themes emerged. Three were specific to women’s improved care. That is, (1) improved continuum of care, (2) improved woman-centred care, and (3) improved satisfaction of care. Theme four (4), barrier to implementation, was concerned with possible barriers to implementation of the model.ConclusionThe finding of this study shows that pregnant women had positive experiences and showed a willingness to receive midwifery-led continuity care. Woman-centred care, improved satisfaction of care, and continuum of care were identified as the main themes. Therefore, it is reasonable to adopt and implement midwifery-led continuity care for low-risk pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Priorities to improve woman-centred gestational diabetes mellitus care: A qualitative study to compare views between clinical and consumer end-users.

Immigrants worldwide have a two-fold higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) than women of the host country. Providing culturally appropriate woman-centred GDM care to attenuate adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes is a persistent challenge for health services. Underpinned by the Knowledge to Action Framework, understanding and comparing the views of patients from different ethnic backgrounds and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about current and optimal GDM care can highlight priority areas to improve woman-centred care. This qualitative study aimed to compare the views of ethnic Chinese and Australian-born Caucasian women and their HCPs, including endocrinologists, obstetricians, midwives, diabetes nurse educators and dietitians, about what constitutes optimal GDM care and how to improve woman-centred GDM care. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 42 Chinese and 30 Caucasian women with GDM and 17 HCPs from two large Australian hospital maternity services to complete in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Patients' and HCPs' views were thematically analysed and compared. Four out of nine themes showed misalignments between patients' and HCPs' views on GDM care, reflecting priority areas to improve woman-centred care by (i) reaching agreement on the attitudes towards different treatment targets between HCPs; (ii) enhancing inter-professional communication; (iii) improving GDM care transition to postpartum care; and (iv) providing detailed dietary advice tailored to Chinese patients' cultural diet. Further research on reaching consensus on treatment targets, enhancing inter-professional communication, developing a perinatal care transition model from pregnancy to postpartum, and developing Chinese patient-oriented educational resources is required to improve woman-centred care.

Assessment of interprofessional obstetric and midwifery care from the midwives' perspective using the Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS).

Interprofessional collaboration of physicians and midwives is essential for appropriate and safe care of pregnant and parturient women as well as their newborns. The complexity of woman-centered care settings requires the continuous exchange of information and the coordinated implementation of multi-and interprofessional care concepts. To analyze the midwives' perspective on the multi-and interprofessional care process during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, we aimed to adapt and psychometrically evaluate the Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS). The ICS (13 items) was answered by 299 midwives for (i) prenatal and postpartum care as well as (ii) perinatal care. Three items on equitable communication (EC) identified in qualitative interviews with N = 6 midwives were added as further aspects of quality in collaborative midwifery care. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test competing theoretically hypothesized factorial model structures, including both care settings simultaneously, i.e., birth and prenatal/postpartum. A two-dimensional structure assuming the 13 original ICS items and the 3 items on EC as psychometric distinct item groups accounts for the data best. After deleting 5 ICS items with insufficient indicator reliability, a very good-fitting model structure was obtained for both prenatal/postpartum as well as perinatal care: χ2df = 192 = 226.35, p = 0.045, CFI = 0.991, RMSEA = 0.025 (90%CI: [0.004; 0.037]). Both the reduced ICS-R and the EC scale (standardized response mean = 0.579/1.401) indicate significantly higher interprofessional collaboration in the birth setting. Responsibility in consulting, attitudes toward obstetric care and frequency of collaboration with other professional groups proved to be associated with the ICS-R and EC scale as expected. For the adapted ICS-R and the EC scale a good construct validity could be confirmed. Thus, the scales can be recommended as a promising assessment for recording the collaboration of midwives with physicians working in obstetric care from the perspective of midwives. The instrument provides a validated assessment basis in midwifery and obstetric care to identify potentially divergent perspectives within interprofessional care teams in woman's centered care.

Charge midwives' awareness of and their role in promoting respectful maternity care at a tertiary health facility in Ghana: A qualitative study.

Evidence suggests that the implementation of respectful maternity care (RMC) interventions is one of the surest and most effective means of minimising mistreatment during intrapartum care services. However, to ensure the successful implementation of RMC interventions, maternity care providers would have to be aware of RMC, its relevance, and their role in promoting RMC. We explored the awareness and role of charge midwives in promoting RMC at a tertiary health facility in Ghana. The study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative study design. We conducted nine interviews with charge midwives. All audio data were transcribed verbatim and exported to NVivo-12 for data management and analyses. The study revealed that charge midwives are aware of RMC. Specifically, ward-in-charges perceived RMC as consisting of showing dignity, respect, and privacy, as well as providing women-centred care. Our findings showed that the roles of ward-in-charges included training midwives on RMC and leading by example, showing empathy and establishing friendly relationships with clients, receiving and addressing clients' concerns, and monitoring and supervising midwives. We conclude that charge midwives have an important role to play in promoting RMC, which transcends simply providing maternity care. Policymakers and healthcare managers should ensure that charge midwives receive adequate and regular training on RMC. This training should be comprehensive, covering aspects such as effective communication, privacy and confidentiality, informed consent, and women-centred care. The study also underscores a need for policymakers and health facility managers to prioritise the provision of resources and support for the implementation of RMC policies and guidelines in all healthcare facilities. This will ensure that healthcare providers have the necessary tools and resources to provide RMC to clients.

Woman-centred care and integrated electronic medical records within Australian maternity settings: Point prevalence audit and observational study

ObjectiveTransition to paperless records brings new challenges to midwifery practice across the continuum of woman-centred care. There is limited and conflicting evidence on the relative benefits of electronic medical records in maternity settings. This article aims to inform the use of integrative electronic medical records within the maternity services’ environment with attention to the midwife-woman relationship. DesignThis descriptive two-part study includes 1) an audit of electronic records in the early period following implementation (2-time points); and 2) an observational study to observe midwives’ practice relating to electronic record use. SettingTwo regional tertiary public hospitals ParticipantsMidwives providing care for childbearing women across antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal areas. Findings400 integrated electronic medical records were audited for completeness. Most fields had high levels of complete data in the correct location. However, between time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), persistent missing data (foetal heart rate documented 30 minutely T1 36%; T2 42%), and incomplete or incorrectly located data (pathology results T1:63%; T2 54%; perineal repair T1 60%; T2 46%) were identified. Observationally, midwives were actively engaged with the integrative electronic medical record between 23% to 68% (median 46%; IQR 16) of the time. ConclusionMidwives spent a significant amount of time completing documentation during clinical episodes of care. Largely, this documentation was found to be accurate, yet exceptions to data completeness, precision and location remained, indicating some concerns with software usability. Implications for practiceTime-intensive monitoring and documentation may hinder woman-centred midwifery care.

An overview of the female reproductive system.

This is the first of two articles providing an overview of the female reproductive system. This article looks at the internal organs associated with the female reproductive system, as well as the vulva. The author describes the relevant pathophysiology and provides an outline of disorders associated with these reproductive organs. The role of health professionals in managing and treating these disorders is discussed, and the importance of providing women-centred care highlighted. A case study and care plan is used to illustrate the importance of individualised care, including history taking, assessment of the presenting symptoms, treatment strategies, health education and advice on follow-up actions. A second article will provide an overview of breasts.

Perceived treatment of respectful maternity care among pregnant women at healthcare facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMistreatment of women during childbirth is a global issue and a violation of fundamental human rights. Respectful maternity care has been affirmed as a universal right of childbearing women. However, little is known about the level of respect experienced by women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); which is undergoing key reforms in the scope of its healthcare provision. We explored the occurrence of respect perceived by women giving birth in the KSA and compared results between national healthcare sectors, as well as with previous international studies. MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional study using an online survey. The online questionnaire included demographic questions, a translation of the internationally validated Mother on Respect index (MORi) scale, which we adapted to investigate KSA women's experiences, and questions to further investigate women's experiences (e.g. respect of privacy). Women who gave birth within five years at a Saudi healthcare facility were recruited through social media using a snowballing approach. ResultsOverall, 586 participants were recruited, 54% of whom had been cared for in government hospitals, 65% were aged between 25 and 34, and almost 79% had a BSc or higher qualification. Overall, women's perception about respectful maternity care was positive, however, opinions varied between governmental and private sectors. Women cared for in the government sector reported significantly lower levels of respect compared to those cared for in the private sector (β = -.132, p = .001). The results also highlighted an issue of concern: one in five women (21.8%) reported having been physically abused. Our participants perceived their childbirth experiences to be less respectful compared to those in other high-income countries. ConclusionWomen birthing in the private sector reported a more respectful experience, which may be explained by the private sector being more consumer-focused. Women who gave birth in the KSA perceived their care to be less respectful than women giving birth in Canada and the USA. Beginning to understand what has provoked the occurrences of mistreatment in childbirth worldwide will inevitably contribute to the development of a solution. Respectful maternity care should be focused on providing women-centred care and quality of care which meets the WHO vision for women's and their families’ needs being fulfilled and respected.

Preoperative diagnosis and management of inherited bleeding disorders in female adolescents and adults.

Although inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) affect both females and males, this review of the preoperative diagnosis and management of IBDs focuses on genetic and gynecologic screening, diagnosis and management of affected and carrier females. A PubMed literature search was conducted, and the peer-reviewed literature on IBDs was evaluated and summarized. Best-practice considerations for screening, diagnosis and management of IBDs in female adolescents and adults, with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) evidence level and ranking of recommendation strength, are presented. Health care providers need to increase their recognition of and support for female adolescents and adults with IBDs. Improved access to counselling, screening, testing and hemostatic management is also required. Patients should be educated and encouraged to report abnormal bleeding symptoms to their health care provider when they have a concern. It is hoped that this review of preoperative IBD diagnosis and management will enhance access to women-centred care to increase patients' understanding of IBDs and decrease their risk of IBD-related morbidity and mortality.

The Yellow Flannel

A reflective piece of writing about a true event that demonstrates how women’s choice and women-centred care can result in a positive experience for midwife and woman. The article also asks some questions that can be used for discussion in a group scenario or written up as a piece of reflection for revalidation as well as personal and professional development. Midwifery is an essential profession to provide women with the high standard of care that is essential to promote mental and physical health for the rest of a woman’s natural life. This article demonstrates how a midwife and woman can work together using the structures that underpin the profession.

Understanding birthing preferences of women in Benin City, Nigeria: a qualitative study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore women’s birthing preferences and the motivational and contextual factors that influence their preferences in Benin City, Nigeria, so as to better understand...

Respectful maternity care and women's autonomy in decision making in Iceland: Application of scale instruments in a cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveTo explore how maternal factors are associated with women's experiences of respect and autonomy in Icelandic maternity care. DesignAn online survey was developed including two measures assessing the quality of perinatal care: the Mothers on Respect Index and the Mothers’ Autonomy in Decision Making Scale. Median and interquartile ranges were calculated for both scales. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to investigate the relationship between maternal factors and perceived low levels of respectful care and perceived low levels of autonomy in decision making. Participants and settingA total of 1,402 women participated. Requirements were: Age ≥ 18 years; antenatal care and childbirth in Iceland 2015–2021; and fluency in Icelandic, English or Polish. Measurements and findingsPerceived lower levels of respect were reported by migrant women [aOR 2.16 (1.55–3.00)], women with at least one social complication [aOR 2.52 (1.92–3.31)], primiparous women [aOR 1.72 (1.26–2.36)], women with at least one pregnancy complication [aOR 1.63 (1.22–2.18)] and those who gave birth by caesarean section [aOR 1.75 (1.25–2.45)]. Perceived lower levels of autonomy were reported by migrant women [aOR 1.42 (1.02–1.97)], women who had at least one social complication [aOR 2.12 (1.63–2.74)] and those who gave birth in a hospital setting [aOR 1.62 (1.03–2.55)]. Key conclusionThe results shed light on inequity in Icelandic maternity care and suggest that data from such surveys can provide valuable information on the changes that must be made in maternity health care services to ensure equity. Implications for practiceAction must be taken to increase provision of respectful, woman-centred maternity care with an emphasis on informed decision making. Strategies to improve services for groups that have been socially marginalized, such as migrant women and women affected by social determinants of health, should be implemented and monitored.

The commitment to a midwifery centre care model in Bangladesh: An interview study with midwives, educators and students.

Midwifery-led care is a key factor in reducing maternal and new-born mortality globally. In Bangladesh, only a third of births are attended by professionals and almost 70% of births occur outside healthcare facilities. Midwifery is a relatively new profession in Bangladesh and a midwifery centre care model has only recently been introduced. This study aims to explore the willingness within the healthcare system to support a greater role for midwifery centres in maternity services. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 55 midwives, midwifery educators and final year midwifery students. Two of the midwifery educators were principals of nursing institutes involved in the government's midwifery leadership and considered as experts in the midwifery care system. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The transcribed interviews comprised 150 pages. The study received ethical approval from the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery in Bangladesh. One main category emerged from the study: "The foundations of a midwifery centre care model need to be strengthened for the sustainable implementation of midwifery centres in Bangladesh to continue". Five additional categories were identified: 1) The midwifery centre care model is inaccessible for communities, 2) Striving for acceptable standards of care within a midwifery centre care model is not a priority 3) Respectful, woman-centred care is weak, 4) Community engagement with the midwifery centre care model is insufficient, and 5) The midwifery centre care model is not integrated into the healthcare system. These categories were supported by the identification of 11 sub-categories. The willingness to commit to a midwifery centre care model is not yet in place in Bangladesh. Advocacy, information, and education about the benefits of normal birth assisted by professional midwives is needed at all levels of Bangladeshi society.

Silent Tears of Midwives: ‘I Want Every Mother Who Gives Birth to Have Her Baby Alive’—A Narrative Inquiry of Midwives Experiences of Very Early Neonatal Death from Tanzania

Midwives working in settings with limited clinical resources experience high rates of very early neonatal deaths. Midwives manage the impact of this grief and trauma almost daily, which may affect patient care and their own well-being. To explore how midwives are impacted by and cope with high rates of very early neonatal deaths. To document midwives' insights and local solutions that may reduce very early neonatal deaths in limited resource settings. To document the stories of midwives in order to create awareness and garner support for midwives and their critical work in low resource settings. Narrative inquiry utilizing semi structured interviews. Twenty-one midwives with at least six months experience who had experienced or witnessed very early neonatal death were interviewed. Data were audio recorded and transcribed, and reflexive thematic analysis of transcripts was conducted. Three themes were identified: (1) deep sadness resulting from very early neonatal deaths leading to internal struggles; (2) use of spirituality, including prayer and occasional beliefs that unexplainable deaths were 'God's plan'; and (3) development of resilience by seeking solutions, educating themselves, taking accountability and guiding mothers. Participating midwives noted that inadequate staff and high caseloads with limited basic supplies hindered their clinical practice. Participants articulated that they concentrated on active solutions to save babies during labour, such as vigilant foetal rate heart monitoring and partogram. Further, reduction and prevention of very early neonatal death is a complex problem requiring multidisciplinary teams and woman-centred care approaches to address issues contributing to the health of mothers and their new-borns. Midwives' narratives highlighted ways of coping with grief and deep sadness, through prayer, and further education of both mothers and fellow colleagues to achieve better antenatal and intrapartum care and outcomes. This study gave midwives an opportunity for their voices to be heard and to generate solutions or insights that can be shared with colleagues in similar low-resource settings.

‘It's about developing a trustful relationship’: A Realist Evaluation of midwives’ relational competencies and confidence in a Danish antenatal psychosocial assessment programme

Objectiveto explore how contextual conditions influence midwives’ relational competencies, ability and confidence to undertake psychosocial assessment of pregnant women and their partners during the first antenatal consultation that identifies expectant parents in vulnerable positions. Designa realist evaluation carried out through three phases: 1) development 2) testing and 3) refinement of programme theories. Data was generated through realist interviews and observations. Settingnine community-based and hospital-based midwife clinics in the North Region of Denmark. Interventiona dialogue-based psychosocial assessment programme in the the North Region of Denmark was evaluated. Participants and data15 midwives were interviewed and 16 observations of midwives undertaking psychosocial assessment during the first antenatal consultation were conducted. Findingscontextual conditions at multiple levels which supported midwives’ relational competencies, autonomy and the power of peer reflection—and thus facilitation of a woman-centred approach and trust—were identified, i.e., being experienced, having interest, organisational prioritisation of peer reflection and flexibility. Where midwives lacked experience, competency development regarding psychosocial assessment, opportunities for peer reflection and autonomy to individualise care for expectant parents in vulnerable positions, the approach to assessment tended to become institution-centred which caused a distant dialogue and instrumental assessment which potentially harmed the midwife-woman/couple relationship. Conclusionmidwives’ ability and confidence to undertake psychosocial assessment were affected by whether individual and organisational contextual conditions empowered them to assess and care for expectant parents within a philosophy of woman-centred care. Accordingly, development of trustful midwife-woman/couple relationships — which is essential for disclosure — was achievable. These conditions become fundamental for securing quality of antenatal care for expectant parents in vulnerable positions.

Development and pilot test of a smartphone app for midwifery care in Tanzania: A comparative cross-sectional study.

To address Tanzania's high maternal mortality ratio, it is crucial to increase women's access to healthcare. To improve access, the quality of antenatal care needs to be improved. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study of a smartphone app for midwives and examined its potential effects on the learning outcomes of midwives and birth preparedness of pregnant women in Tanzania. This mixed-methods, pilot study provided an educational app for midwives in the intervention group, obtained data about the continuous use of the app, measured midwives' learning outcomes, directed focus group discussions on the usability of the app, and conducted surveys among pregnant women about birth preparedness in the intervention and control groups to evaluate if midwives provided proper information to them. The control group received regular antenatal care and answered the same survey. Participants were 23 midwives who participated in the testing and provided learning outcome data. Twenty-one participated in focus group discussions. Results showed that 87.5% of midwives continued to study with the app two months post-intervention. A mini-quiz conducted after using the app showed a significant increase in mean scores (6.9 and 8.4 points, respectively) and a non-significant increase on the questionnaire on women-centered care (98.6 and 102.2 points, respectively). In the focus group discussions, all midwives expressed satisfaction with the app for several reasons, including comprehensive content, feelings of confidence, and reciprocal communication. There were 207 pregnant women included in the analysis. The intervention group had significantly higher knowledge scores and home-based value scores than did controls. The total scores and other subscales did not show statistical significance for group differences. The results indicate the potential impact of the midwifery education app when it is implemented on a larger scale, especially considering that the results show a potential effect on midwives' learning outcomes.