The campaigns for men to become midwives in the 1970s

Empathetic, persistent and female: A snapshot of oral health therapy students in Australia and New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

Dental therapists, hygienists and oral health therapists constitute up to a third of the dental workforce in Australia and New Zealand. Personality is often explored in health professions to provide insights into traits that are conducive to workforce retention and to assist in planning and training. This study aimed to investigate the current demographic and personality characteristics of oral health students in Australia and New Zealand.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Students in years one to three of all eight undergraduate Bachelor of Oral Health programs in Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey. The survey measured activities prior to entering into oral health, career intentions and included a personality questionnaire, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

RESULTS

Three quarters of participants (n = 336; 30% response rate; females = 90%) were single, from an urban area and 20-29 years of age. Oral health students overall portrayed high trait levels of Persistence and Cooperativeness. Cluster analysis of TCI traits identified three groups. Groups of students with high Persistence and Cooperativeness tended to be older, were working in non-dental and dental careers prior to their degree and were interested in working in regional areas after graduation.

CONCLUSIONS

Students with high levels of persistence and cooperativeness were interested in working in regional areas after graduation, highlighting the importance of industriousness and persistence in overcoming barriers to practicing in regional areas. Further research is warranted to investigate barriers and enablers in recruitment and retention of males in a primarily female dominated profession.

The Proportions, Regulations, and Training Plans of Male Midwives Worldwide: A Descriptive Study of 77 Countries

Objectives

The proportions of male midwives as well as regulations and training plans targeting male midwives were investigated.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent to 109 United Nations member countries where midwifery associations had opened their e-mail addresses. Respondents were persons in charge of midwifery education or policy recommended by midwifery associations, researchers, or acquaintances. The questionnaire inquired about the number of midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists by gender in the country, as well as regulations and training plans relevant to male ones. For those countries that either failed to respond or provided insufficient information, supplemental Internet searches were conducted.

Results

Data from 77 countries were analyzed (57 countries returned the questionnaires, and data on another 20 were obtained through Internet searches). Of the 19 countries without male midwives, five did not allow men to become midwives. In 37 countries with male midwives whose proportion data were available, the median proportion was 0.63%. Respondents in 13 countries described regulations respecting women who unwanted care by male midwives and in other two explained training plans for male midwives considering their specific characteristics.

Conclusion

The proportion of male midwives is small, and regulations and training plans for male midwives varied depending on social content in countries.