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Peterwerth NH, Halek M, Schäfers R. Association of personal and systemic factors on intrapartum risk perception and obstetric intervention rates: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:155. [PMID: 38389073 PMCID: PMC10882933 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06338-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk perception is fundamental to decision-making; therefore its exploration is essential to gaining a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process for peripartum interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between personal and systemic factors of the work setting and the risk perception of obstetric healthcare professionals, and in turn how this might influence decisions regarding obstetric interventions. METHODS Case vignettes were used to measure risk perception. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was performed within an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, and an intervention readiness score created. Associations were calculated using location and dispersion measures, t-tests and correlations in addition to multiple linear regression. RESULTS Risk perception, as measured by the risk assessment score, was significantly lower (average 0.8 points) for midwives than for obstetricians (95%-CI [-0.673; -0.317], p < .001). Statistically significant correlations were found for: years of experience and annual number of births in the current workplace, but this was not clinically relevant; hours worked, with the groups of participants working ≥ 30,5 h showing a statistically significant higher risk perception than participants working 20,5-30 h (p = .005); and level of care of the current workplace, with the groups of participants working in a birth clinic (Level IV) showing a statistically significant lower risk perception than participants working in Level I hospital (highly specialised obstetric and neonatal care; p = .016). The option of midwife-led birthing care showed no correlation with risk perception. The survey identified that risk perception, occupation, years in the profession and number of hours worked (i.e. full or part time) represent significant influences on obstetric healthcare professionals' willingness to intervene. CONCLUSIONS The results of the survey give rise to the hypothesis that the personal and systemic factors of professional qualification, occupation, number of hours worked and level of acuity of the workplace are related to the risk perception of obstetric healthcare professionals. In turn, risk perception itself made a significant contribution to explaining differences in willingness to intervene, suggesting that it influences obstetricians' and midwives' decision-making. Overall, however, the correlations were weak and should be interpreted cautiously. The significant variations in the use of interventions must be addressed in order to provide the highest quality and best possible care for childbearing women and their families. To this end, developing strategies to improve interdisciplinary relationships and collaboration is of great importance. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017172 (18.06.2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina H Peterwerth
- Department of Applied Health Sciences - Midwifery, University of Applied Sciences-Hochschule für Gesundheit, Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
- School of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health, Department für Pflegewissenschaft, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Margareta Halek
- School of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health, Department für Pflegewissenschaft, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Rainhild Schäfers
- Institute of Midwifery Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Malmedyweg 17-19, 48149, Münster, Germany
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Carvajal B, Hancock A, Lewney K, Hagan K, Jamieson S, Cooke A. A global overview of midwives' working conditions: A rapid review of literature on positive practice environment. Women Birth 2024; 37:15-50. [PMID: 37648619 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United Kingdom (UK), a critical shortage of midwives puts pressure on the already overworked midwives working in maternity services. Considering the challenges that midwives in the UK face, this rapid review was conducted to inform a larger-scale initiative to improve the working conditions of midwives in an acute NHS Trust in the Midlands area of the UK. OBJECTIVE To describe midwives' perceptions and experiences of positive practice environments. METHODS A search strategy to identify literature about midwives' perceptions and experiences of positive practice environments was conducted in Medline, CINAHL Plus and Embase databases. Literature screening was conducted independently in two steps using an eligibility tool. The articles' quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data were extracted using the Job Quality framework and managed using NVivo12. RESULTS Seventy articles were included in this review. Midwives' working conditions can be improved in all seven areas of the Job Quality framework. Most articles in the review reported the negative aspects of midwives' working environments, making it challenging for the team to define a positive practice environment for midwives. Despite this, authors discuss that a positive practice environment is at least sustained by ensuring midwives' ability to provide care; providing good employment conditions; developing respectful organisations; and increasing team resources, such as those that improve team resilience. CONCLUSIONS Midwives' working conditions are universally challenging. Failure to address the situation will compromise recruitment and retention, increasing the shortage of midwives. Provision of safe and respectful care appears to be directly linked to midwives' safe and respectful working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bielka Carvajal
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK; Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, UK; Departamento de Promocion de la Salud de la Mujer y el Recien Nacido, Universidad de Chile, Chile.
| | - Angela Hancock
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK; Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, UK; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, UK
| | - Katharine Lewney
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK
| | - Karen Hagan
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK
| | - Sarah Jamieson
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK
| | - Alison Cooke
- Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE), University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, UK; Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, UK; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, UK
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Luegmair K, Ayerle GM, Steckelberg A. Midwives' action-guiding orientation while attending hospital births - A scoping review. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2022; 34:100778. [PMID: 36152453 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Following the "call for action to research", various aspects of maternity care should be examined so that perinatal care can be improved based on evidence. Clinical midwifery is the most common way of attending births in high-income countries. Midwives are the experts for normal labor and birth and play a central role in caring for women giving birth in a hospital setting. The aim of this scoping review was to explore midwives' action-guiding orientation in their care provision during hospital births in high-income countries. Four databases (CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE and PSYNDEX) were searched systematically for studies in English or German on midwives' action-guiding orientation during hospital labor and birth, published between 2000 and February 2022. Only studies from peer-reviewed journals were included. Reporting followed the PRISMA-ScR statement for scoping reviews. From a total of 1572 studies, 26 studies with 4 different research designs were included in the narrative synthesis. The synthesis shows 7 central concepts that emerge in the studies: medicalization of birth versus woman-centered care; midwives' knowledge and experience; midwives' professional identity; midwives' confidence or autonomy in practice; intra-professional and multi-professional relations; continuity of care and relationship with the woman; and working conditions and cultural context. The central concept most reflective of midwives' action-guiding orientation was "medicalization of birth versus woman-centered care." Other elements that affect midwives' action-guiding orientation and represent influencing factors at the micro, meso, and macro levels of obstetric care must be considered if one is to understand the profession and work of midwives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Luegmair
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Katholische Stiftungshochschule München, University of Applied Sciences, München, Germany.
| | - Gertrud M Ayerle
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
| | - Anke Steckelberg
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
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Khumalo PG, Carey M, Mackenzie L, Sanson-Fisher R. Cervical cancer screening-related knowledge among community health workers in Eswatini: a cross-sectional survey. Health Promot Int 2022; 37:6671812. [PMID: 35984338 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eswatini has the highest age-standardized incidence and second highest mortality rate related to cervical cancer globally. In Eswatini, community health workers educate communities about cervical cancer screening. They need to have accurate knowledge about cervical cancer and screening to do this effectively. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening among community health workers in Eswatini. A telephone survey of 172 community health workers from eight selected constituencies was conducted. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess participants' socio-demographic and service-related characteristics. Linear regression was applied to investigate factors associated with cervical cancer screening-related knowledge. One hundred and seven (62%) participants answered at least 80% of the questions correctly. However, knowledge regarding cervical cancer risk factors, the meaning of screening results and Eswatini cervical cancer screening guidelines was suboptimal. Community health workers aged 46-55 were more likely (β = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-2.15, p < 0.01) to have a higher cervical cancer screening knowledge score than those aged 30-45 years. Community health workers from Lubombo were marginally less likely (β = -0.83, 95% CI: -1.80 to -0.04, p = 0.05) to have a higher knowledge score than those from Hhohho. This study suggests knowledge deficits amongst community health workers in Eswatini. Knowledge deficits may result in inaccurate information being communicated to clients. While increasing knowledge of these vital health workers may not be sufficient to increase cervical cancer screening rates in Eswatini, it is an essential first step that should be the focus of future educational efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phinda G Khumalo
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Mariko Carey
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Lisa Mackenzie
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Rob Sanson-Fisher
- Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales 2305, Australia
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