Factors Influencing Midwives' Attitude Towards Women In Labour In Selected Hospitals In Niger Delta Region Of Nigeria

Abstract

The positive attitude of midwives is an essential factor in the utilization of maternal health services by pregnant women. This hospital based cross sectional study was conducted to explore the factors influencing midwives’ attitude towards women in labour in selected hospitals in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents from two tertiary hospitals. Data were collected with a validated structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS (version 21).

Majority of the respondents were between the ages of 35-44 years. More than half 118 (61.1%) were registered nurse-midwives which is the least qualification among respondents with 77 (61.1%) having 6-10 years working experience. The study revealed that the factors influencing midwives’ attitude towards women in labour based on responses were: number of midwives to clients 187 (96.9%), workload of the midwives 187 (96.9%), incentives 182 (94.3%), adherence/non-adherence to midwives instructions 176 (91.2%), hospital environment 171 (88.6%), hospital equipments169 (87.6%), therapeutic communication between the midwife and patient 169 (87.6%) and the individual personality 163 (84.5%). Furthermore, the respondents identified employment of more staff 188 (97.4%), good remuneration and incentive 176 (91.2%), provision of adequate equipment and materials 170 (88.1%), proper monitoring and supervision of midwives 140 (72.5%), as well as training and retraining of midwives 128 (66.3%) as ways of improving midwives attitude toward women in labor.

Conclusively, midwives have the necessary qualifications and experiences needed to care for women in labour effectively, but certain factors influence their attitude either positively or negatively. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that periodic assessment of midwives and what motivate them should be considered by the hospital management and government in order to encourage them to have the right attitudes towards women in labour.

Key words: Attitude, Factors, Midwives, Labour, Women, Hospitals, Nigeria