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Background/Aims Globally, there are three pathways to become a midwife: midwifery post nursing, direct entry midwifery and integrated nursing and midwifery. There is limited knowledge on the effectiveness of pre-service midwifery education. The aim of this study was to describe and compare midwifery students' confidence in intrapartum skills and associated factors such as type and level of education. Methods A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted, where midwifery students were approached in the final months of their education programme. Data were collected using a questionnaire, based on the basic skills by the International Confederation of Midwives. Intrapartum care comprised 40 skills. Results In total, 1407 midwifery students from seven sub-Saharan countries responded. The 40 skills were grouped into six domains; three related to care during the first and second stage of labour and three related to care during the third stage of labour. Sex and age were significantly associated with confidence, with female students and those 26–35 years old having higher levels of confidence. Students enrolled in a direct entry programme were more confident than other students in all three domains of care related to the first and second stage of labour. Conclusions Direct entry was found to result in higher confidence for midwifery students than post nursing programmes or integrated programmes. Further research is needed for evaluation of competence.

Background: Majority of maternal and new-born deaths occur within 28 hours and one week after birth. These can be prevented by well-educated midwives. Confidence in postnatal and newborn care skills depend on the quality of midwifery education. Objective: To assess confidence and its associated factors for basic postnatal and new-born care skills of final year midwifery students , from seven African countries. Methods: A multi-country cross-sectional study where final year midwifery students answered a questionnaire consisting of basic skills of postnatal and newborn care listed by the International Confederation of Midwives. The postnatal care area had 16 and newborn care area had 19 skill statements. The 16 skills of postnatal care were grouped into three domains through principle component analysis (PCA); Basic postnatal care; postnatal complications and educating parents and documentation . The 19 skills under the newborn care area were grouped into three domains; Basic care and care for newborn complications; Support parents for newborn care ; and Care for newborns of HIV positive mothers and documentation. Results: In total 1408 midwifery students from seven Sub-Saharan countries participated in the study namely; Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Somaliland Overall high confidence for all domains under Post Natal Care ranged from 30%-50% and for Newborn care from 39-55%. High confidence for postnatal skills was not found to be associated with any background variables (Age, sex, type and level of educational programme). High confidence for newborn care was associated with being female students, those aged 26-35 years, students from the direct entry programmes and those enrolled in diploma programmes. Conclusions: Almost half of the study participants expressed lack of confidence for skills under postnatal and newborn care. No association was found between high confidence for domains of postnatal care and background variables. High confidenc

Background: Evidence-based antenatal care is one cornerstone in Safe Motherhood and educated and confident midwives remain to be optimal caregivers in Africa. Confidence in antenatal midwifery skills is important and could differ depending on the provision of education among the training institutions across Africa. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe and compare midwifery students' confidence in basic antenatal skills, in relation to age, sex, program type and level of program. Methods: A survey in seven sub-Saharan African countries was conducted. Enrolled midwifery students from selected midwifery institutions in each country presented selfreported data on confidence to provide antenatal care. Data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 22 antenatal skills based on the competency framework from the International Confederation of Midwives. The skills were grouped into three domains; Identify fetal and maternal risk factors and educate parents; Manage and document emergent complications and Physical assessment and nutrition. Results: In total, 1407 midwifery students from seven Sub-Saharan countries responded. Almost one third (25-32%) of the students reported high levels of confidence in all three domains. Direct entry programs were associated with higher levels of confidence in all three domains, compared to post-nursing and double degree programs. Students enrolled at education with diploma level presented with high levels of confidence in two out of three domains. Conclusions: A significant proportion of student midwives rated themselves low on confidence to provide ANC. Midwifery students enrolled in direct entry programs reported higher levels of confidence in all domains. It is important that local governments develop education standards, based on recommendations from the International Confederation of midwives. Further research is needed for the evaluation of actual competence.

Delayed childbearing is becoming apparent in developing countries especially among the upper and middle class women as they become increasingly empowered. The objective of this study was to determine the pre-disposing factors to late age pregnancy among childbearing women. A cross sectional survey of childbearing women aged between 18 and 40 years and hospital personnel, in 3 selected hospitals and tertiary institutions in Kakamega County, Kenya was carried out. Purposive and stratified sampling strategies were employed. The findings revealed that although the majority age of primigravidas lies between 26 to 30 years, an increasing number of women at the age of 31 to 40 years were still having their first borns. Primigravidas at such ages were found to be more vulnerable to birth complications. It emerged that prolonged education, financial stability, career development, lifestyle, drug and substance abuse and lack of awareness were the leading contributing factors to delayed pregnancy among child bearing women.

Background: Because of the profound shortage of nurse and midwifery researchers in many African countries, identification of clinical nursing and midwifery research is of highest priority for the region to improve health outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain consensus from experts on the priorities of clinical nursing and midwifery research in southern and eastern African countries. Method: A Delphi survey was conducted among experts in the region. Criteria for “expert” included (a) a professional nurse, (b) a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing, (c) published research, (d) affiliated with a school of nursing with at least a master's level nursing program, and/or (e) identified by the African core collaborators as an expert in the region. A list of candidates was identified through searches of published and gray literature and then vetted by core collaborators in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. Core collaborators held leadership roles in a nursing school and a doctoral degree in nursing, had conducted and published nursing research, and resided in an included country. Results: Two rounds of the Delphi survey were required to reach consensus. In total, 40 participants completed both rounds, and at least one participant from each country completed both rounds; 73% and 85% response rates were achieved for each round, respectively. Critical clinical research priorities were infectious disease/infection control and midwifery/maternal health topics. These included subtopics such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal health and mortality, infant mortality, and obstetrical emergencies. Many other topics were ranked as important including patient outcomes, noncommunicable diseases, and rural health. Discussion: Areas identified as research priorities were consistent with gaps identified in current literature. As evidenced by previous research, there is a lack of clinical nursing and midwifery research in these areas as well as nurses and midwives trained