Confidence among midwifery students in providing postnatal care at completion of training in selected midwifery schools in Zambia

Abstract

Background/Aims Quality midwifery education is important in empowering student midwives with the confidence, knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to the provision of quality postnatal care. The study aimed to assess confidence in providing postnatal care among midwifery students upon completion of training at selected midwifery schools in Zambia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2016 at 5 of the 13 midwifery schools in Zambia. The sample comprised 194 finalist midwifery students who were purposively selected. Ethical approval was sort from the University of Zambia Research and Ethics Committee and participants signed informed consent forms. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20, and the chi-squared test was used to analyse the significance of the relationship between variables, with significance set at 0.05. Results Almost all (97%) student midwives were confident in their ability to provide postnatal care independently. Most stated that they had enough time to practice in the skills laboratory (63%) and were confident when they practiced on mothers and their babies for the first time (62%). The majority (82.5%) were satisfied with the supervision they received from their mentors. Confidence to provide postnatal care independently was significantly associated with the confidence to practice for the first time on mothers and their newborns (P=0.007) and with satisfaction with clinical supervision (P=0.004). Conclusions Student midwives were confident in their ability to provide postnatal care. Time spent practicing in the skills laboratory and the amount of clinical supervision were two factors that enhanced students' confidence. Midwifery schools must emphasise clinical practice and supervision in order to produce confident midwives.