Practices and Challenges of Pain Management During First Stage of Labour Among Midwives in University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure (Published)
Most women perceive labour pain and childbirth as the most severe and agonizing event in a woman’s life. Midwives play critical role in supporting women through the painful birthing process, to the desired favourable outcomes for mother and baby. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the practices and challenges of pain management during the initial stage of labour among midwives at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex in Akure. From July to October 2021, a facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 midwives employed at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex in Akure. The first stage of labour pain management practices and challenges were evaluated among the study participants using a questionnaire. SPSS (version 23.0) was used in processing the data. In the first stage of labour, environmental pain management approach was shown to be the most used (95.4%), followed by psychospiritual pain management approach (91%); while the least employed was the pharmacological approach (63.4%). Effectiveness of the approaches were perceived to be in the following order: psychospiritual, environmental, physical, pharmacological and social. Lack of resources (84.7%) and understaffing (33.3%) were cited as part of the challenges associated with pain management. It is important for the government to provide adequate staff, equipment and conducive birthing environments; while the midwives continually educate patients on available non-pharmacological and pharmacological labour pain management approaches during their prenatal care visits, to enhance their self-efficacy and cooperation in labour.
Keywords: Challenges, Midwives, Practices, first stage of labor, pain management
Male Involvement in Maternal-And-Child-Health Care: Perceptions of Midwives, Women and Men in PHCs in Aba, Abia State (Published)
Male involvement in MCH care is an effective strategy to combat maternal and child health problems during pregnancy, child-birth and postpartum period. This study explored the perceptions of women, men and nurse-midwives regarding male involvement in MCH care in Aba, Abia State. Three objectives and corresponding research questions were raised for the study. Focus group qualitative research method/design was adopted. Three sample groups comprising of 10 women, 10 men and 10 nurse-midwives participated in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used for sample selection. The primary sampling units were the four selected primary health care centres (PHCs) in Aba. Instruments for data collection were the Focus Group Discussion Guides (FGDG) for women, men and nurse-midwives. The instruments were validated. The two tape recorders used in this study were pretested to ascertain their functionality before the actual focus group discussion sessions commenced. Focus group qualitative data were collected from women, men and nurse-midwives, using the respective FGDG. Audio tape recording of discussions with participants were done. Qualitative data collected from the study were analysed using qualitative data analysis technique. Results revealed the perception of women, men and nurse–midwives in Aba regarding male involvement in MCH care. The women focus group results showed ways of men involvement in MCH Care; women expectations of their partners during pregnancy; and factors affecting women’s perception of male involvement in MCH care. The men focus group results showed men’s opinions regarding their involvement in MCH care; and factors that restrict their involvement in MCH care. The nurse-midwives focus group results showed factors discouraging male involvement in MCH care; men’s responsibilities in MCH care; and benefits of male involvement in MCH care. Recommendation was made to Abia State ministry of health to develop intervention programme to encourage men involvement in MCH care.
Keywords: ABA, Abia State, Men, Midwives, PHCs, Women, male involvement, maternal-and-child-health care
Reported Effects of Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Provision of Skilled Antenatal and Delivery Care Among Nurses and Midwives in Ibadan, Nigeria (Published)
The World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic a global public health emergency. However, documentation on its implication on the provision of skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria is limited. Therefore, this study assessed the reported effect of the pandemic on the provision of skilled antenatal and delivery care among nurses and midwives in Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive study was conducted using a quantitative approach. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected 121 nurses and midwives in the selected hospitals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive analysis was done using percentages, and Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between respondents’ years of experience and the perceived influence of COVID-19 on the provision of maternal health services.Findings showed 82.6% and 53.7% of the respondents reported a reduced number of antenatal visits and shorter services hour respectively. Also, 57.9% and 66.1% of the respondents reported restricted interaction with clients and reduced patronage respectively. Also, 66.9% of the respondents reported limited admission facilities during labor. There is no significant relationship between the years of experience of the respondents and the perceived influence of COVID-19 on the provision of antenatal/delivery care with a correlation coefficient (r = 0.137) and significant value of (p-value = 0.068). The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the provision of skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth. Accessibility to skilled antenatal and delivery care was reduced among pregnant women.
Citation: Adetunji O.O., Akinwaare M.O., Ogbeye G.B. (2022) Reported Effects of Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Provision of Skilled Antenatal and Delivery Care Among Nurses and Midwives in Ibadan, Nigeria, International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, Vol.8, No.4, pp.30-44
Keywords: Disease, Ibadan, Midwives, Nigeria, Nurses, coronavirus, delivery care, pandemic, skilled antenatal