Midwives’ Experiences of Rural Maternal - Newborn Care in Ghana: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Abstract

Midwives' experiences of frontline healthcare delivery in rural maternal and newborn care have been minimally explored over the past two decades in low and middle-income countries but particularly in resource-limited settings, the situation is concerning. Understanding the dynamic influences that impact health care delivery in rural and remote settings is important for averting deaths, improving health outcomes and rural health care practice.Purpose: This study aimed to understand, unveil the meanings and articulate the experiences of midwives who practice in rural settings in rural Ghana.Sample: Thirteen (13) midwives who voluntarily participated in the study were purposively and conveniently sampled. Methods:Interpretive phenomenology that integrated African philosophy was used to explore and unveil the meanings embedded in the experiences of midwives practicing in South rural Ghana. Findings:The findings establish that midwives make sustained serial efforts to save maternal and newborn lives however, midwives' ethnic background, age, gender and family situation influence their retention in rural health care settings where they work alone under stressful conditions as skilled care birth attendants. Community recognition and supportive community participation

Initial Steps in Resuscitation of Suspected Birth Asphyxia in the Context of Nursing and Midwifery: A Quantitative Study in Upper East Region of Ghana

“…Approximately 72.5 percent of those who answered the survey questions said they had standard guidelines and protocols available in their units, while the remaining 27.5 percent said they did not have standard guidelines and protocols available in their units. In accordance with (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016) and Ani-Amponsah [17], the findings of this study support the availability of standard guidelines and protocols for neonatal interventions in health-care settings.…”

“…The findings of this study could be compared to those of Maaloe et al, [21] who found that a lack of human resources and substandard care were the most significant challenges in the management of birth asphyxia in the developing world. This was emphasized in studies conducted by (Enweronu-Laryea, Adedemy, Okonkwo, Lee, and Robertson, [15] and Ani-Amponsah, [17] in which limited human resources, a lack of training in neonatal resuscitation, and a lack of basic resuscitation equipment were identified as major challenges or barriers to the management of Birth Asphyxia in newborns. The findings of this study were consistent with those of Moyer, McLaren, Adanu, and Lantz, [22] in which delays in seeking higher level of care and late referrals [23] were identified as challenges and barriers to the management of birth asphyxia.…”