Author(s)

Enyi Oronwemgbe Shedrack^*, Ihudiebube-Splendor Chikodili

Affiliation(s)

Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author

Enyi Oronwemgbe Shedrack

ABSTRACT

This study investigated midwives' perspectives on staffing and development challenges impacting optimal midwifery in Rivers State primary healthcare centers. It utilized a descriptive survey design with a sample of 217 midwives selected through stratified total census sampling. Data was collected via the validated 'Midwifery Staff and Development Management Challenges Questionnaire' and analyzed using means, standard deviations and z-test. Key findings showed midwives disagreed that professional barriers cause shortages but agreed recruitment and retention are critical, though perspectives differed between full-timers and clinical staff. Existing mentoring programs were deemed insufficient and increased investments needed to enhance skills and tackle practice challenges. The study concluded that despite diverging opinions on causes, midwives collectively concur that strengthening staff numbers and development opportunities is vital for optimal midwifery practice. Targeted, evidence-based workforce initiatives are recommended, but a comprehensive strategy must also address underlying motivational, infrastructural and coordination issues using systems-thinking. Suggestions include objective workload analysis, outcome assessments, service user feedback, and collaborative mechanisms between midwives, administrators and policymakers to enrich understanding and tailor interventions.

KEYWORDS

Midwifery; Staffing; Development; Primary care; Perspectives

CITE THIS PAPER

Enyi Oronwemgbe Shedrack, Ihudiebube-Splendor Chikodili. Challenges to optimal midwifery: Perspectives on staffing and development in rivers state primary health care centres. World Journal of Clinical Sciences. 2024, 2(2): 30-36. DOI: 10.61784/wjcs3005.

REFERENCES

[1] Okoroafor SC., Ahmat A., Osubor M., Nyoni J., Bassey J., Alemu W. Assessing the staffing needs for primary health care centers in Cross River State, Nigeria: Workload indicators of staffing needs study. Human Resources for Health, 2022, 19(Suppl 1): 108.

[2] Turner L., Culliford D., Ball J., Kitson-Reynolds E., Griffiths P. The association between midwifery staffing levels and the experiences of mothers on postnatal wards: Cross sectional analysis of routine data. Women and Birth, 2022, 35(6): e583-e589.

[3] Enyi OS. Midwives’ perspectives on the challenges to optimal midwifery practice in Rivers state primary health care centres, Nigeria (Master dissertation, ACE-PUTOR). 2024.

[4] Adatara P., Amooba PA., Afaya A., Salia SM., Avane MA., Kuug A., Atachie C. Challenges experienced by midwives working in rural communities in the upper east region of Ghana: A qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2021, 21: 1-8.

[5] Ikemoto M., Inoue N., Yambii O., Serdamba D., Demberel B., Manlai M., Nagai M. Issues in enhancing continuing professional development for midwives in clinical practice in Mongolia. Global Health & Medicine, 2023, 5(5): 311-315.

[6] Amadi OMC., Ogaji D., Ibrahim H. Awareness and use of WHO safe childbirth checklist among midwives working in health institutions in Imo state. International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, 2024, 10(3): 13-25.

[7] Okereke E., Ishaku SM., Unumeri G., Mohammed B., Ahonsi B. Reducing maternal and newborn mortality in Nigeria—a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions about the performance of community health workers and the introduction of community midwifery at primary healthcare level. Human Resources for Health, 2019, 17(1): 102.

[8] Kool L., Feijen-de Jong EI., Schellevis FG., Jaarsma DA. Perceived job demands and resources of newly qualified midwives working in primary care settings in the Netherlands. Midwifery, 2019, 69: 52-58.

[9] Agwu P., Ogbozor P., Odii A., Orjiakor C., Onwujekwe O. Private money-making indulgence and inefficiency of primary healthcare in Nigeria: A qualitative study of health workers’ absenteeism. International Journal of Public Health, 2020, 65: 1019-1026.

[10] Aune I., Tysland T., Amalie Vollheim S. Norwegian midwives’ experiences of relational continuity of midwifery care in the primary healthcare service: A qualitative descriptive study. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 2021, 41(1): 5-13.

[11] Styles C., Kearney L., George K. Implementation and upscaling of midwifery continuity of care: The experience of midwives and obstetricians. Women and Birth, 2010, 33(4): 343-351.

[12] Cramer E., Hunter B. Relationships between working conditions and emotional wellbeing in midwives. Women and Birth, 2019, 32(6): 521-532.

[13] Alnuaimi K., Alshraifeen A. Familial and social stressors among Jordanian midwives amid the COVID-19 crisis. SAGE Open, 2023, 13(3), 21582440231189995.

[14] Ani VA. Provision of reliable electricity to primary health care facilities in Nigeria-a new focus of interventions. International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment, 2021, 22(2).

[15] Aliche KA., Aluko J. Evaluation of quality of maternal health services in selected primary health centers in Rivers state. IPS Journal of Public Health, 2023, 3(1): 37-45.

[16] Shaban I., Barclay L., Lock L., Homer C. Barriers to developing midwifery as a primary health-care strategy: A Jordanian study. Midwifery, 2012, 28(1): 106-111.

[17] Dede PJ., Gbobbo J., Onasoga Y. Perception and experience of pregnant women toward midwife-led perinatal care in Abua-Odual health facilities, Rivers state, Nigeria. International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, 2024, 10(3): 26-50.

[18] Robinson-Mbato L., Nwosu AB., Azumah MK., Wonodi VO. Factors influencing maternal health care services utilisation in Port Harcourt local government area of Rivers state. International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, 2024, 12(2): 1-19.

[19] Wissemann K., Bloxsome D., De Leo A., Bayes S. What are the benefits and challenges of mentoring in midwifery? An integrative review. Women's Health, 2022, 18, 17455057221110141.

[20] Alabrah PW., Abasi IJ., Ozori SE. Caesarean delivery and the attendant FETO-maternal aftermath at a rural hospital in south-south Nigeria. Age, 2022, 13(19), 3.