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- Title
The Experience of Being a Traditional Midwife: Living and Working in Relationship With Women.
- Authors
Dietsch, Elaine; Mulimbalimba-Masururu, Luc
- Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this project was to learn from traditional midwives about their experience of practicing in an area of rural Kenya. Methods: This qualitative, service-based research project used a simple exploratory and descriptive design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and fieldwork notes taken during and immediately after the interviews with 84 traditional midwives. Data were thematically analyzed and themes identified through paired-author consensus. Exemplars using the participants' translated words were used for analysis and presentation purposes. Results: In being humble, patient, and kind, the traditional midwives used their relationships with women to create an enabling, calm, and physiologically sound intrapartum environment. Discussion: Traditional midwives provide a valuable service to women in this area of Kenya at a time when their role is being increasingly devalued by global health agencies. We recommend a redirection of global policy from one that esteems only professional caregivers to one that recognizes the potential value of traditional midwives and supports them through sustainable, evidence-based education and resourcing.
- Subjects
KENYA; ATTITUDE (Psychology); INTERPERSONAL relations; INTERVIEWING; RESEARCH methodology; RESEARCH; RESEARCH funding; SOUND recordings; MIDWIFERY; QUALITATIVE research; HEALTH facility translating services; THEMATIC analysis; NONPROFESSIONAL occupations
- Publication
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 2011, Vol 56, Issue 2, p161
- ISSN
1526-9523
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1542-2011.2011.00025.x