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Midwifery education, regulation and association in six South Asian countries--a descriptive report.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To describe the situation of midwifery education, regulation and association in six South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
METHODS
Data were collected via three questionnaires, constructed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Investing in Midwives Programme, used at a regional workshop in Bangladesh, 2010. Selected for the purpose of this study were 55 out of 134 questions of which two were open-ended. The answers from structured closed-ended questions were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the open ended answers with a qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
There was a variation in midwifery education across South Asia, in terms of entry level, competencies and requirements for teachers. None of the countries had national legislation that recognized midwifery as an autonomous profession. Four of the countries had a midwifery association. Two countries had a curriculum based on ICM's essential competences for basic midwifery practice. Main recommendations for improving formal midwifery education across the countries were development of legislation, strengthened formal midwifery education, strengthened professional value, and an improved learning environment.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings might benefit the future midwifery profession in South Asia and is an important step in addressing the MDGs to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in the region. With assistance, the area of South Asia will be able to create autonomous midwives that comply with ICM's global standards for midwifery education and regulation.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Bogren MU, Wiseman A, Berg M

    Institution

    Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sweden. malinbogren@spray.se

    Source

    Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives 3:2 2012 Jun pg 67-72

    MeSH

    Asia
    Clinical Competence
    Curriculum
    Humans
    Midwifery
    Nurse's Role
    Questionnaires
    Societies, Nursing

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22578753