Caesarean section delivery from maternal perspective: An exploratory study in Jordan

The relationship between maternal health and neonatal low birth weight in Amman, Jordan: a case-control study

This study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal health during pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW), as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic status of pregnant women and its effect on LBW. The study was conducted in Amman, Jordan, and included 2260 mothers who visited Abu-Nusair comprehensive health center between January and December 2020. A matched case-control design was used with 72 cases and 148 controls selected for data collection through medical records and face-to-face interviews. Results showed that factors such as a monthly income of 400 JD or less, living with an extended family, exposure to passive smoking, maternal weight gain of 6-10 kg, maternal anemia, maternal hypertension, delivery by cesarean section, and previous history of LBW newborns were positively associated with an increased risk of LBW. Conversely, factors such as a monthly income above 700 JD, living with a core family, daily intake of iron, calcium, and vitamin D, prenatal visits, healthy food intake, and planning for pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of LBW. COVID-19 infection and its effects on work, family finances, antenatal care visits, and food supply were also positively linked with LBW. In conclusion, socioeconomic status, maternal health, COVID-19, and its impacts were significant risk factors for LBW.

Attitudes of midwives and obstetricians towards midwives practiced roles in hospitals: A national study in Jordan

AIMS

The aims of this study were to identify midwives' and obstetricians' attitudes towards midwives practised roles in hospitals and to identify the differences in their attitudes towards midwives practiced roles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional, study design was used. A convenience sample of 303 midwives and 143 obstetricians were recruited. Participants were from 12 Ministry of Health (MOH) and Royal Medical Services (RMS) hospitals distributed across seven governorates. Two reliable and valid self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data including socio-demographic data-related characteristics of participants and obstetricians' and midwives' attitudes towards midwives' practiced role in hospitals.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between obstetricians in the three subscales of attitudes: midwives women relationship attitude subscale, midwives trust and mutual respect subscale and work environment attitudes subscale. A significant difference by the institution was reported: obstetricians and midwives who worked in MOH reported more positive attitudes than those who worked in RMS.

CONCLUSION

The results show that obstetricians recognise that midwives are qualified and competent professionals but still lack the competencies/skills to make them independent practitioners. The findings also confirm the need to improve midwives' practices by moving from being able to perform a specific task to possess all three attributes of "competencies," where they can intervene, manage and make decisions with confidence in each situation.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

Based on the current study findings, parallel cooperation between educational/academic policymakers from both midwives and obstetricians may re-evaluate and upgrade the midwifery curriculum to meet the ICM competencies and health sector needs as a step to graduate competent midwives where their responsibility is recognised and organised.