The main thrust of this study was to investigate the attitudes of expectant mothers’ towards the care provided by male student midwives in the maternity unit of General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State – Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, three research questions were formulated for the study and two hypotheses were generated to direct the study. Literature was reviewed to find out the other researchers’ view about the topic under investigation. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. A sample of fifty (50) expectant mothers was used for the study. The selection was done through consecutive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire titled “Attitudes of Expectant Mothers’ towards Care Provided by Male Midwives Questionnaire (AEMCPMSMQ)”. The instrument was subjected to both face and content validation by the supervisor. The reliability estimate of the instruments was established through the Cronbach Alpha Reliability method. Simple percentage and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Method were the statistical analysis techniques adopted to test the hypotheses under study. All hypothesis were subjected to testing at .05 level of significance with relative degrees of freedom.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Research questions
1.5 Research hypothesis
1.6 Significance of Study
1.7 Scope of the study
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual Review
2.1.1 Attitudes of expectant women towards male midwives in maternity unit
2.1.2 Socio-cultural beliefs of expectant mothers’ and attitude towards male midwives in the maternity unit of General Hospital, Calabar
2.1.3 Quality of care of male student midwives and attitude of expectant mothers’
2.2 Theoretical Review
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research design
3.2 Research setting
3.3 Target population
3.4 Sample size
3.5 Sampling techniques
3.6 Instrument for data collection
3.7 Validity/reliability of instrument
3.8 Method of data analysis
3.9 Ethical consideration
4. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 VARIABLES
4.2 Presentation of data by research questions
4.3 Hypotheses-by-hypothesis presentation data
5. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.1 Discussion of findings
Research Objectives & Topics
This study aims to investigate the attitudes of expectant mothers toward the care provided by male student midwives at the General Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria, to understand how gender preference influences clinical outcomes and the acceptance of male professionals in the birthing process.
- Socio-cultural factors influencing maternal preferences for midwife gender.
- The perceived quality of care provided by male student midwives.
- The impact of religious and cultural beliefs on patient attitudes.
- Gender-based discrimination in the midwifery profession.
- Development of strategies to improve acceptance and utilization of male midwives.
Excerpt from the Book
Background to the study
Assistance in the birthing process has always been a prerequisite for expectant women with ancient writings containing evidence of female birth attendants with experience in childbirth who were women within or outside the family and were regarded as pioneers of midwifery practice. Midwifery is one of the oldest professions worldwide since the inception of human life. It was recognized as a female profession in ancient Egypt as indicated by the Ebers Papyrus dating 1900 to 1500BCE (Bwalya, Kolala, Mazyopa3, Mofya & Ngoma, 2015). Similarly, during the time of Hippocrates (460 to 410 BCE), it was thought that midwives in Athens ought to be required by law to have had children themselves (Nicopoullus, 2003).
In the 16th century, midwifery which was exclusively practiced by old experienced women, later on became a profession of young women. Men joined the midwifery profession in the 20th century due to modernization (Fife, 2013). The term ‘midwife’ connotes to a woman who assists with childbirth. This definition essentially means that midwifery has since time immemorial been perceived as a profession for women. This is however changing as a number of men are entering the profession (Kennedy, Erickson-Owens & Davis, 2010). The last decade has seen an increase in universal recognition of the significance of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health matters specifically in high fertility countries.
Until recently, men had been segregated from the midwifery profession as it has always been perceived as a female profession (Oyetunde & Nkwonta, 2014). However, while male midwives are gaining popularity, their acceptance is not unanimous (Alison, 2000). Some are of the opinion that the birthing room is not an area for men as they do not experience childbirth. There is also a belief that childbirth is outside the realm of male expertise. Critics of male midwives further cite the Bible, quoting Exodus chapter 1 verse 15-16, which mentions feminine names of Hebrew midwives, thus an indication that midwifery has always been a domain for women (Chilumba, 2014).
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides the background context on the evolution of the midwifery profession and outlines the problem statement regarding the social acceptance of male midwives in Nigeria.
LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines global and local perspectives on gender preference in childbirth, focusing on socio-cultural beliefs, theoretical frameworks like structural functionalism, and previous empirical studies.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Details the descriptive research design, sampling techniques, and data collection tools used to survey fifty expectant mothers at the General Hospital in Calabar.
RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Presents the statistical analysis of demographic variables and survey responses regarding the attitudes of mothers toward male student midwives.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS: Interprets the research findings, linking them to existing literature and offering conclusions and recommendations to improve professional midwifery practices.
Keywords
Midwifery, Male Midwives, Expectant Mothers, Maternity Unit, Gender Preference, Quality of Care, Socio-cultural Beliefs, Patient Attitudes, Reproductive Health, Calabar, Nursing, Antenatal Care, Birth Outcomes, Medical Profession, Cultural Taboos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This research investigates the attitudes of expectant mothers toward the care provided by male student midwives at the General Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.
What are the central themes of the work?
The core themes include the impact of socio-cultural beliefs, the perceived quality of care provided by men, and how gender stereotypes influence the midwifery profession.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The study aims to determine the extent to which essential qualities of male midwives and socio-cultural beliefs influence maternal attitudes, in order to address human resource shortages in the health sector.
Which research methodology was adopted?
The study utilized a descriptive research design, gathering data from a sample of fifty expectant mothers using a structured questionnaire, analyzed through SPSS with Pearson Product Moment Correlation.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the historical context of midwifery, a thorough literature review, detailed research methodology, data analysis results, and a comprehensive discussion on the findings related to patient satisfaction and care quality.
What are the key terms that define this work?
Key terms include Midwifery, Male Midwives, Expectant Mothers, Socio-cultural Beliefs, Gender Preference, and Quality of Care.
How do religious beliefs affect the acceptance of male midwives in Calabar?
The study finds that certain religious and cultural beliefs, particularly among Muslim women, pose significant barriers as they consider it a taboo for men other than their husbands to attend to their intimate care.
Do patients trust male midwives differently than female midwives?
The results indicate that while some women trust male midwives based on their perceived professional quality, a significant portion expresses hesitation due to traditional beliefs and the expectation of female tenderness.
What is the connection between education and acceptance?
The study suggests that education levels influence open-mindedness, with higher-educated respondents showing more openness toward professional care regardless of the practitioner's gender.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2018, Attitudes of Expectant Mothers Towards Male Midwives, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/539784
