Main Article Content
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to explore the role of midwifery practices in promoting maternal and neonatal health, with a focus on the impact of midwifery-led care models, cultural competence, and the integration of midwifery into national health systems.
Research Design and Methodology: The research employs a qualitative design, utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with midwives, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community health workers in low-resource settings. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and patterns within the data.
Findings and Discussion: The findings indicate that midwifery-led care models significantly improve maternal and neonatal outcomes by providing continuous, personalized support, which reduces unnecessary medical interventions and enhances maternal satisfaction and emotional well-being. The study also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in midwifery, as culturally sensitive care fosters trust and enhances health outcomes. Integrating midwifery into national health systems, supported by appropriate policies and resources, is crucial for achieving better maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The research highlights the need to address socio-economic barriers that hinder effective midwifery care in low-resource settings.
Implications: The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers, underscoring the importance of supportive policies, adequate resources, and ongoing professional development for midwives. Countries can enhance maternal and neonatal health outcomes by integrating midwifery services into national health systems and fostering cultural competence. The findings also suggest areas for future research, including the need for more diverse settings and mixed-method approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of midwifery practices.
Keywords
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References
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- ten Hoope-Bender, P., de Bernis, L., Campbell, J., Downe, S., Fauveau, V., Fogstad, H., ... & McFadden, A. (2014). Improvement of maternal and newborn health through midwifery. The Lancet, 384(9949), 1226-1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60930-2
- Van Ryn, M., & Burke, J. (2000). The effect of patient race and socio-economic status on physicians' perceptions of patients. Social Science & Medicine, 50(6), 813-828. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00338-X
References
Anderson, L. M., Scrimshaw, S. C., Fullilove, M. T., Fielding, J. E., & Normand, J. (2003). Culturally competent healthcare systems: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24(3), 68-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00657-8
Aune, I., Torvik, H. M., Selboe, S. T., Skogås, A. K., Persen, J., & Dahlberg, U. (2015). Promoting a normal birth and a positive birth experience—Norwegian women’s perspectives. Midwifery, 31(7), 721-727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2015.03.016
Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Park, E. R. (2003). Cultural competence and health care disparities: Key perspectives and trends. Health Affairs, 24(2), 499-505. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.24.2.499
Bohren, M. A., Hunter, E. C., Munthe-Kaas, H. M., Souza, J. P., Vogel, J. P., & Gulmezoglu, A. M. (2017). Facilitators and barriers to facility-based delivery in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Reproductive Health, 11(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-71
Combs Thorsen, V., Sundby, J., & Malata, A. (2014). Piecing together the maternal death puzzle through narratives: The three delays model revisited. PLOS ONE, 9(5), e103260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103260
Filby, A., McConville, F., & Portela, A. (2016). What prevents quality midwifery care? A systematic mapping of barriers in low and middle-income countries from the provider perspective. PLOS ONE, 11(5), e0153391. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153391
Homer, C. S., Friberg, I. K., Dias, M. A., Ten Hoope-Bender, P., Sandall, J., Speciale, A. M., & Bartlett, L. A. (2018). The projected effect of scaling up midwifery. The Lancet Global Health, 2(7), e420-e427. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70320-4
Hoope-Bender, P. (2014). Improvement of quality care to reduce neonatal mortality rates. The Lancet, 384(9949), 1226-1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60930-2
Khomami, M. (2021). Barriers faced by midwives in promoting healthy lifestyles during pregnancy. PLoS ONE, 16(4), e0249374. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249374
Kirmayer, L. J., Narasiah, L., Munoz, M., Rashid, M., Ryder, A. G., Guzder, J., ... & Pottie, K. (2011). Common mental health problems in immigrants and refugees: general approach in primary care. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(12), E959-E967. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.090292
Kumar, S. (2008). The role of nurse-midwives in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 53(2), 116-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2007.11.003
Kwast, B. E. (1995). Reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality through community-based maternity care program. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 48(S2), S67-S82. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(95)80047-6
Leininger, M. M. (2002). Culture care theory: A major contribution to advance transcultural nursing knowledge and practices. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 189-192. https://doi.org/10.1177/10459602013003005
Papadopoulos, I., Tilki, M., & Taylor, G. (2006). Transcultural care: A guide for health care professionals. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 17(3), 310-312. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659606288380
Renfrew, M. J., McFadden, A., Bastos, M. H., Campbell, J., Channon, A. A., Cheung, N. F., ... & Declercq, E. (2014). Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care. The Lancet, 384(9948), 1129-1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60789-3
Sacks, E., Maistrellis, E., & Hoope-Bender, P. ten. (2015). Post-2015 agenda and the need for gender equality and empowerment of midwives and nurses. Midwifery, 31(10), 1031-1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2015.07.003
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2016). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub5
Sharma, G., Mathai, M., Dickson, K. E., Weeks, A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Lavender, T., ... & Campbell, O. M. (2017). Quality care during labor and birth: a multi-country analysis of health system bottlenecks and potential solutions. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15(1), S2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-15-S2-S2
Spector, R. E. (2004). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 15(3), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659604263460
ten Hoope-Bender, P., de Bernis, L., Campbell, J., Downe, S., Fauveau, V., Fogstad, H., ... & McFadden, A. (2014). Improvement of maternal and newborn health through midwifery. The Lancet, 384(9949), 1226-1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60930-2
Van Ryn, M., & Burke, J. (2000). The effect of patient race and socio-economic status on physicians' perceptions of patients. Social Science & Medicine, 50(6), 813-828. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00338-X