scholarly journals Midwives’ Role in Providing Nutrition Advice during Pregnancy: Meeting the Challenges? A Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamila Arrish ◽  
Heather Yeatman ◽  
Moira Williamson

This study explored the Australian midwives’ role in the provision of nutrition advice. Little is known about their perceptions of this role, the influence of the model of care, and the barriers and facilitators that may influence them providing quality nutrition advice to pregnant women. Semistructured telephone interviews were undertaken with a subsample (n=16) of the members of the Australian College of Midwives who participated in an online survey about midwives’ nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and their confidence in providing nutrition advice during pregnancy. Thematic descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. Midwives believed they have a vital role in providing nutrition advice to pregnant women in the context of health promotion. However, this was not reflected in the advice many of them provided, which in many accounts was passive and medically directed. The extent and efficacy of their role appear to be challenged by many structural barriers. Midwives suggested facilitators that may assist in overcoming these challenges. Midwives need assistance, support, and guidance to provide holistic nutrition advice that assists women to achieve healthy pregnancies. A collaborative approach between midwifery bodies, nutrition and education experts, and maternity care services may provide an effective way forward.

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (06) ◽  
pp. 721-726
Author(s):  
Sadaf Faiz ◽  
Zahira Batool ◽  
Sana Ejaz ◽  
Abid Rashid

Introduction: Maternal health care refers to high quality health care providedto a pregnant woman during pregnancy, delivery and postnatal period. The maternal mortalityratio is quite high in the rural areas of Pakistan. Rural society is highly associated with itstraditions and cultural values. There are some cultural and social barriers for women. Theyare being considered negligible part of the population and are facing a number of hardshipsin availing health facilities. Objective: The aim of the study was to find out the socioeconomic,cultural and demographic factors affecting the access of rural women to maternity care services.Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of District Faisalabad.Quantitative research method was used to get meaningful, detailed information. Material andMethods: A sample of 205 pregnant women aged 18-38 was taken, purposively to explore theresearch objectives through pre-designed interviewing schedule with open and closed endedquestions. Results: Univariate and bivariate analysis reveal the factors associated with theutilization of maternity care services such as education of the respondents and their husbands,family type, household income, age at marriage, attitudes towards health care facilities werefound to be associated with the utilization of maternity care service. Conclusion: The studyreveals that a number of reproductive problems occurred among pregnant women in the ruralareas of Pakistan due to the limited health facilities, socio-demographic and cultural barricadeswhich restricted them to utilize maternity care services


Author(s):  
Sajith Kumar Soman ◽  
Binu Areekal ◽  
Rosin George Varghese ◽  
Asha Joan Murali

Background: Maternal care services are intended to take care about the pregnant during the antenatal, intra natal and post natal periods so as to reduce maternity related health problems. The current study tries to assess maternity care services among pregnant women in a coastal area in central Kerala, India.Methods: The setting was Mararikkulam south panchayat and the study was cross sectional in nature. The minimum sample size of the study was calculated to be 213. A house to house survey was conducted in all the 23 wards to find out those who had a live or still birth in the last one year (2014-2015) who were our study subjects. The maternity care services were assessed using multiple indicators. In statistical analysis, data was entered in Microsoft excel and was analysed using SPSS 16.0 versionResults: As per the current study the number of pregnancies registered early i.e. within 12 weeks was 72.2%. Only 68% had all the antenatal check-ups while 26.1% had less than 4 antenatal check-ups and 5.9% had no regular antenatal check-ups. 67.7% of the mothers had taken iron and folic acid for the prescribed period of pregnancy. Ultrasound examination was done at least once during the pregnancy in 63.3% of cases and not done in 36.7%. For tetanus prophylaxis 84.5% had appropriate course of TT vaccination. 73.5% of the mothers were well aware of the danger signs of pregnancy and 21.2% were partially aware and 5.3% were unaware of the danger signs. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree Man-Sik Tse ◽  
Zhuo Li ◽  
Ye Lu ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The new coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) caused by COVID-19 has affected more than 46 million people worldwide. In China, primary care has played a vital role during the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is important to examine the challenges faced by general practitioners (GPs). This study investigated the roles, preparedness and training needs of GPs in China in managing the NCP outbreak. Based on the outcomes of the study, we hope to take lessons and identify how GPs could be supported in delivering their gatekeeping roles and clinical duties in times of infectious disease outbreak. Methods An online survey on the official website of Shenzhen Continuing Education Center. It included questions on GPs’ demographics, their awareness of COVID-19 and their preparedness in managing suspected cases of NCP, as well as referrals and their training needs. Conditional multi-variate logistic models were used to investigate the relationships between GPs’ preparedness, situational confidence and anxiety. Results GPs’ clinical practice was significantly affected. GPs endeavoured to answer a flood of COVID-19-related enquiries, while undertaking community preventive tasks. In addition to in-person consultations, GP promoted COVID-19 awareness and education through telephone consultations, physical posters and social media. Overall GPs in Shenzhen felt well supported with adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and resources from secondary care services. Higher levels of self-perceived preparedness (OR = 2.19; 95%CI, 1.04–4.61), lower level of anxiety (OR = 0.56; 95%CI, 0.29–1.09) and fewer perceived family worries (OR = 0.37; 95%CI, 0.12–1.12) were associated with better confidence in coping at work. Conclusions Training and supporting GPs while reducing their (and their families’) anxiety increase their confidence in delivering the important roles of gatekeeping in face of major disease outbreaks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Wangler ◽  
Michael Jansky

Abstract Background Family caregivers are often the first line of support for people requiring care; although they may personally stand to benefit, these activities substantially increase the risk of physical and emotional stress. General practitioners (GPs) may provide important support and stabilisation, but need to adjust to the needs and expectations of this group in order to do so. The aim of the study was to compare the needs of family caregivers from GPs to the support they actually experience. Additional aims included determining the main factors affecting satisfaction amongst family caregivers with support from GPs. The results were used to develop possible approaches towards optimisation within the purview of general medical practice. Methods Between January and July 2020, 612 people supporting or caring for a family member responded to an online survey posted in seventeen internet forums focused on family caregivers. In addition to the descriptive analysis, a t-test with independent samples was used to identify significant differences between two groups. We also used binary logistic regression analysis to identify indications of potentially influential factors regarding the experienced support from GPs. Results Around three out of every four respondents (72%) consulted GPs in care matters. The respondents gave positive responses on their GP’s knowledge of the care situation (71%), approachability in various issues connecting with care and service towards the caregiver (82%). GPs’ efforts in meeting the needs and requirements of the care recipient were also rated positively (82%). Weaknesses in support from GPs mainly involved the lack of information on advice and assistance services (55%) as well as frequently not identifying or involving caregivers as such soon enough (42%). Results from regression analysis show that the last two aspects play a major role in subjective satisfaction amongst family caregivers with support from GPs. Conclusions We recommend that GPs undergo further training to reinforce awareness that the care triad of needs, requirements and stresses amongst family caregivers also plays a vital role in care outcomes. With this in mind, general practice staff should adopt a pre-emptive strategy towards approaching family members about potential issues and informing them about existing assistance and support services.


Author(s):  
Kennedy Diema Konlan ◽  
Joseph M. Kombat ◽  
Milipaak Japiong ◽  
Kennedy Dodam Konlan

Background: Maternity period is crucial and sensitive in the life of women due to various physiological changes that take place in the body during pregnancy and after. These changes need close monitoring to help optimize maternal and foetal health. This study explored pregnant women’s perceptions of maternity care services in the Volta Regional Hospital.Methods: Multiparous women (170) in the Ante Natal Clinic responded to a pretested questionnaire. The sample size was determined using Fischer’s formula for sample size calculation. Respondents were chosen using the convenient sampling method. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 in to descriptive statistics.Results: This study identified that women (42.5%) were never encouraged by health care providers to bring their partners during antenatal visits. Pregnant women (62.9%) reported that health care professionals did not allow their support persons including their husbands to be with them during labour. Women (34.1%) during labour were sometimes assaulted while 2.9% were always assaulted. Majority (74.2%) of the women received this five cardinal services that included vitamin K, eye care, cord care, bathing and immunization during the post natal period as 60.7% were introduced to family planning by midwives.Conclusions: Partner involvement in maternal health care needs to be encouraged by midwives to improve support from partners during pregnancy, labour and the post natal period. Support persons should be allowed to stay with women during labour to give the necessary support and encouragement and also take part in decision making concerning women’s care.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-129
Author(s):  
Valerie J. Slavin ◽  
Jennifer Fenwick ◽  
Jenny Gamble

BACKGROUND: Obesity in childbearing women is associated with poorer pregnancy and birth outcomes, particularly caesarean section, compared with normal-weight women. The high caesarean section rate may reflect care and outcomes which occur at the time surrounding the first birth.AIM: To describe the birth outcomes of extremely obese pregnant women (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more) experiencing their first birth.METHODS: Clinical audit was used to systematically review the care and birth outcomes of all extremely obese pregnant women experiencing their birth at one study site during a 2-year period in 2009 and 2010. Fifty participants birthed during the study period. Data were collected from booking to discharge from the maternity service and included variables such as model of care, number of appointments, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and synthesize the data. Inferential statistics were used to draw inferences about the population.RESULTS: Obese women rarely had contact with a midwife, except at booking, receiving a standard model of care provided by numerous caregivers, most often inexperienced medical staff. More than half of the obese women experienced a caesarean section (56%), 2.3 times that of normal-weight primiparous women who birthed at the study site during the same period (24.2%). This was despite 64% experiencing normal pregnancy free from any complication. For women who planned to labor, birth intervention including induction of labor, augmentation for slow labor, epidural, and continuous cardiotocography was high. Caesarean occurred most often for “failure to progress” and “failed induction.”CONCLUSION: Clinical audit was useful in determining information, which suggests current maternity care provision is not meeting the needs of extremely obese women experiencing their first birth.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The development of effective, targeted antenatal care designed to meet the needs of extremely obese women is recommended as are strategies to keep birth normal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeline Jeyakumar ◽  
Vidhya Shinde ◽  
Reshma Ravindran

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women is a public health concern globally. In India, individual studies report high prevalence. However, lack of national data masks the true burden. This work determined the pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in India through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis. Methods Three different search engines yielded 15 eligible articles. Study quality was assessed by 10 different criteria and summary of study quality was categorized as per Cochrane standards. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy pregnant women and heterogeneity among selected studies. A sample of n = 4088 was used to study the pooled prevalence among pregnant women. Results The random effects combined estimate was 32.35% (95% CI, (12.58–117.48). High heterogeneity (tau2 = 0.39, I2 = 100%) and high risk of bias was observed among the selected studies. The test for overall effect was observed to be z = 2.54(P = 0.01). Conclusion Pooled estimate > 30% emphasizes the need for screening through antenatal care services and initiate preventive measures to address the deficiency.


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