A mixed-methods study to explore evidence-based intrapartum care in maternity settings in Bahrain
Leena Khonji, Carol Bedwell and Dame Tina Lavender
University of Manchester, UK
: J Womens Health, Issues Care
Abstract
Background & Aim: Childbirth is a normal physiological process that does not require unnecessary interventions by maternity care providers. However, some maternity settings in Bahrain continue to intervene during labour and childbirth while providing care to low-risk women. This approach contradicts the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) initiatives in implementing Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) of intrapartum care. In Bahrain, there are limited studies on existing maternity practices and care providers views about intrapartum care. This study aims to gain an understanding of intrapartum practices in Bahrain. Method: A convergent mixed-methods design is employed in the study. Quantitative data was collected using a non-experimental descriptive cross-sectional design. A retrospective audit of birth records of two maternity hospitals was conducted for three months. This was followed by completing Researcher-Administered questionnaires with 250 postpartum women. Qualitative exploratory design guided by grounded theory approach was utilized in the second phase of a study. Qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of postpartum women, midwives, obstetricians, and stakeholders. Maternity care provider’s practices were observed using a structured observation technique. Results: The qualitative outcome will be shared. Qualitative findings revealed four themes influencing the childbirth practices in Bahrain namely: “women as recipients of care”; “facilitators and berries of childbirth care”; “the meaning of ideal childbirth care”; and “gap in childbirth practices”. Conclusion: Study findings will assist in developing strategies to enhance the implementation of EBP in childbirth care among maternity care providers and moving toward aligning the intrapartum practices with the international standards and guidelines to provide safe childbirth care.
Biography
Leena Khonji is a PhD student in her final year of study at the University of Manchester. She holds a Master’s degree in Maternal-Newborn Nursing, Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Sciences and Diploma in Midwifery. She worked as a Midwife in the main hospital in Bahrain for six years, then promoted to the position of Midwife Manager at Labour and Birth Unit. In 2008, she moved to the academic field and started her career as a Lecturer at the College of Health Sciences at the University of Bahrain. She was involved in teaching the undergraduate Nursing students as well as Midwifery students. She presented several research papers in the ICN, and in regional and international nursing and midwifery conferences. She is interested in research, midwifery education and women’s health issues. She acts as a reviewer for many of international journals. Based on her interest in childbirth issues, she focused on her PhD thesis on the intrapartum practices in maternity settings in Bahrain.
