National norms for the obstetric nurses’ and midwives’ health education competence, and its influencing factors: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Strengthening obstetric nurses’ and midwives’ health education competence is the investment and guarantee for the population’s future health. The purpose of study is to establish national norms for their health education competence, and explore possible influencing factors for providing an uniform criterion identifying levels and weaknesses. Methods An online questionnaire with a standard process was used to collect data. Three normative models were constructed, and multiple linear regression analysis analyzed possible influencing factors. Results The sample respondents (n = 3027) represented obstetric nurses and midwives nationally. Three health education competency normative norms (mean, percentile and demarcation norm) were constructed separately. Locations, hospital grade, department, marital status, training times and satisfaction with health education training influenced obstetrical nurses’ and midwives’ health education competence (P