Papers by Christina Rawdon
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2015
Objective: In sub-Saharan Africa, midwifery input into the generation of important research quest... more Objective: In sub-Saharan Africa, midwifery input into the generation of important research questions is limited. The authors aimed to address this issue by enabling midwives to set their own research priorities with the intention of developing a research strategy to conduct studies relevant to clinical practice. Methods: A survey was carried out in six countries (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania). The Delphi method was used with six panels of midwives (n=118) to attain a convergence of opinion on midwifery research priorities. Consensus-building was achieved by using a series of questionnaires delivered using multiple iterations to collect data. Data were analysed using ranked means and proportions. Findings: Consensus was reached on 11 research questions which were considered regional priorities. These covered three key areas: midwifery training, clinical care and organisational issues. Conclusions: Midwives prioritised areas of research that had direct applica...
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Background/Aims In Zimbabwe, a 1-year hospital-centred competency-based midwifery training model ... more Background/Aims In Zimbabwe, a 1-year hospital-centred competency-based midwifery training model aims to prepare graduates for clinical practice according to the International Confederation of Midwives Global Standards for Midwifery Education. This model exposes students to various interactive environments from which they gain experiences through a transformational learning process. Their experiences of this programme have never been investigated. This study aimed to explore newly qualified midwives' experiences of acquiring competence and confidence during midwifery training in Zimbabwe. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted at three of the 22 hospital-based midwifery training institutions in Zimbabwe. The study used a classical grounded theory approach and in-depth interviews to achieve data saturation with 35 participants. Purposive sampling was used to select participants followed by theoretical sampling. Sampling stopped when no new analytical insights were...
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Background Most (90%) maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Self-care and r... more Background Most (90%) maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Self-care and respectful maternity care strategies are effective in reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. This article discusses a community-led project to train members of the community in self-care and respectful maternity care. This project aimed to contribute to the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. Methods Using a six-phase approach, 51 women and their families were trained in birth preparedness, complication prevention and readiness and respectful maternity care practices. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected before and after implementation of the training project using a checklist for quantitative data and guided in-depth interviews via focus group discussions and face-to-face interviews with the district nursing officer, two in-charges and two chairmen of the health centre committees. Comparative descriptive analysis and qualitative conte...
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2013
Abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remain the major causes of maternal mortality in Zimb... more Abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remain the major causes of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe. Based on this problem, factors associated with maternal mortality due to abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were investigated to improve pregnancy outcomes. Cases and controls were selected from 4895 abortion and 318 severe preeclampsia/eclampsia obstetric records to conduct a retrospective case-control study. Significant risk factors identified for reducing maternal mortality due to postabortion complications included the administration of oxytocic drugs and evacuations of the uterus whilst anaemia and sepsis apparently reduced these women's chances of survival. No significant factors could be identified which influenced maternal deaths among women suffering from severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate was not routinely administered, as recommended internationally. In both groups, cases apparently received better reported quantitative care than controls. Recommendations based on this research report include improved midwifery education and in-service training, regular audits of patients' records and changed policies for managing these conditions more effectively in Zimbabwe.
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2015
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2014
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2010
Research and evidence-based practice are ‘buzz words’ in midwifery today. While credible research... more Research and evidence-based practice are ‘buzz words’ in midwifery today. While credible research builds on a body of scientific knowledge that promotes midwifery as a profession, best practice is based on evidence from studies, particularly those that are action-oriented. This means that any aspects of midwifery (i.e. education, leadership and management, clinical practice) that rely heavily on research evidence to potentially enhance quality performance is a professional responsibility.
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Background/Aims Several studies demonstrate that midwifery students do not feel confident in thei... more Background/Aims Several studies demonstrate that midwifery students do not feel confident in their ability to practice independently post-qualification, both globally and in Zimbabwe. To build competence, it is critical that midwives are encouraged to assess factors that improve or reduce their confidence in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore factors enhancing or reducing midwifery students' confidence in clinical practice in Zimbabwe, following a 1-year training course. Methods A total of 300 midwifery students from 22 government midwifery training schools in Zimbabwe participated in a cross-sectional survey that assessed self-confidence at completion of a 1-year training course. Students responded to the question ‘What factors improved or reduced your confidence in clinical area during training?’ Thematic analysis was used to describe and interpret students' responses. Results The main theme taken from students' answers was that resource availability in the...
African journal of midwifery and women's health, 2015
Objective: In sub-Saharan Africa, midwifery input into the generation of important research quest... more Objective: In sub-Saharan Africa, midwifery input into the generation of important research questions is limited. The authors aimed to address this issue by enabling midwives to set their own research priorities with the intention of developing a research strategy to conduct studies relevant to clinical practice. Methods: A survey was carried out in six countries (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania). The Delphi method was used with six panels of midwives (n=118) to attain a convergence of opinion on midwifery research priorities. Consensus-building was achieved by using a series of questionnaires delivered using multiple iterations to collect data. Data were analysed using ranked means and proportions. Findings: Consensus was reached on 11 research questions which were considered regional priorities. These covered three key areas: midwifery training, clinical care and organisational issues. Conclusions: Midwives prioritised areas of research that had direct applica...
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Background/Aims Several studies demonstrate that midwifery students do not feel confident in thei... more Background/Aims Several studies demonstrate that midwifery students do not feel confident in their ability to practice independently post-qualification, both globally and in Zimbabwe. To build competence, it is critical that midwives are encouraged to assess factors that improve or reduce their confidence in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore factors enhancing or reducing midwifery students' confidence in clinical practice in Zimbabwe, following a 1-year training course. Methods A total of 300 midwifery students from 22 government midwifery training schools in Zimbabwe participated in a cross-sectional survey that assessed self-confidence at completion of a 1-year training course. Students responded to the question ‘What factors improved or reduced your confidence in clinical area during training?’ Thematic analysis was used to describe and interpret students' responses. Results The main theme taken from students' answers was that resource availability in the...
ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study aimed to develop a women empowerment framework to promote Voluntar... more ABSTRACTIntroductionThis study aimed to develop a women empowerment framework to promote Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) uptake for human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) prevention, guided by the following objectives: To explore relevant literature on the role of women in promoting male circumcision uptake; To develop a women empowerment framework to promote male circumcision uptake; To describe the women empowerment framework to promote male circumcision uptake.MethodsThe study used a theory-generation design to explore, describe and develop a women empowerment framework from a broad literature review.ResultsA three-phase approach suitable for the framework development emerged from the literature review. Phase one involved exploring relevant literature on women’s role in male circumcision uptake, using the Population/problem, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) method to identify and define the key concepts. Phase 2 adopted and adapted Maibvise and Mavundla’s model...
Global Health Action
Background: Evidence-based antenatal care is one cornerstone in Safe Motherhood and educated and ... more 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.
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2014
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2013
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Global Health Action
Background: Evidence-based antenatal care is one cornerstone in Safe Motherhood and educated and ... more 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.
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2013
African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2012
Uploads
Papers by Christina Rawdon