Contextual factors influencing implementation of a university-based midwifery education programme in Central Africa : A qualitative study

• Aim: To investigate contextual factors and their influence on implementing a 90-credit midwifery education programme for nurses at a university in the eastern DRC. Background: To improve maternal and neonatal health, there is a government policy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to educate midwives at a higher education level according to international norms. This study investigates contextual factors and their influence on the implementation of a midwifery education programme which is based on national curriculum and has a profile of person-centred care, simulation-based learning pedagogy and information and communication technology. Method: A qualitative study was conducted with data collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants who were directly or indirectly involved in establishing the midwifery education programme. Transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis. Results: The factors influencing the implementation of the new midwifery education programme comprise facilitating and hindering factors. Facilitating factors were: (i) awareness that midwives educated at a higher education level can deliver higher-quality health care, (ii) women are motivated to seek care from well-educated midwives, (iii) the planned programme is attractive and (iv) the university has a stable academic administration and established collaborations. Hindering factors were: (i) Students’ lack of prerequisites for study; (ii) objections to educating midwives at a higher education level; (iii) inadequate teaching resources; and (iv) inadequate working conditions for midwives. Conclusion: The facilitating factors strengthen the belief that it is possible to implement this midwifery education programme, while the hindering factors need to be addressed to run the programme successfully. The findings can guide higher education institutions starting similar midwifery education programmes in the DRC and elsewhere, although it is crucial to conduct a context study in those specific contexts. 

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Context

Democratic Republic of Congo

Implementation science

Low-income nation

Midwifery education programme

Qualitative study

Sub-Saharan Africa

adult

article

awareness

Central Africa

clinical article

communication technology

content analysis

curriculum

Democratic Republic Congo

educational status

female

genetic transcription

government

health care quality

human

human experiment

lowest income group

midwife

midwifery education

nurse

pedagogics

qualitative research

semi structured interview

simulation training

teaching

tertiary education

work environment

Context

Midwifery education programme

Implementation science

Low-income nation

Democratic Republic of Congo

Sub-Saharan Africa

Qualitative study

interview

swedish

care

Nursing

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)