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Volume 3 Advanced Practices in Nursing
ISSN: 2573-0347 Advanced Nursing Research 2018
June 14-15, 2018
June 14-15, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland
48th World Congress on
Advanced Nursing Research
Improving Afghanistan midwifery - professional activities during antenatal care, labour and
postpartum in North and East Afghanistan: Based on interviews during professional training for
Afghan midwives in Estonia, Tallinn Health Care College
Kristina Krivats Arba, Marika Merits, Irena Bartels, Silja Mets Oja, Annely Kärema and Aet Maarja Leberecht
Tallinn Health Care College, Estonia
Background: The research is carried out in the framework of the development project: improving quality of medical and info-
technological education in North and East Afghanistan in 2014-2016. Afghan women's health indicators vary significantly
from global standards. Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate was second highest in the world. Neonatal mortality was 60
deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002. By 2010, the maternal mortality rate had reduced to 327 deaths per 100,000 live births. The
rate of educated midwives in Afghanistan is still insufficient. The shortage of skilled birth attendants has been a key factor in the
high maternal and newborn mortality in Afghanistan. Efforts to strengthen midwifery pre-service education in Afghanistan
have increased the number of midwives from 467 in 2002 to 2954 in 2010.
Purpose: To describe and find out factors which impact midwifery professional activities during antenatal care, labour and
postpartum in North and East Afghanistan and how to improve medical and info-technological education to target group.
Design: The research method is qualitative, based on semi-structured interviews. The target group was nine Afghan midwives
from North and East Afghanistan. The questionnaire consisted of questions which were divided into three themes: antenatal
care, labour and the postpartum period. The interviews were carried out in Tallinn Health Care College. Interviews were
conducted in the English language and recorded on video. The interview was voluntary, and the anonymity of the participants
was guaranteed. The results were transcribed, processed and analysed.
Findings: Antenatal care, labour, and the postpartum period affect the most cultural and religious beliefs and the standards
prevailing in the society. Antenatal care, labour and postpartum period were often reported to be underused, even when
available. In the cities the midwife assistance was more accessible. Midwives recommend go to a hospital to give birth, speaking
about the risks of labour at home. There was limited and uneven understandings of the importance of antenatal care and
impact the risks to labour and the post-natal period. Afghan midwives require modern and evidence-based training what is
based on accepted guidelines, medical and info-technological education. The project needs to continue.
Biography
Kristina Krivats Arba is a Midwife Curriculum Lecturer-teacher at Tallinn Health Care College, Estonia. Her research interests includes Midwifery and healthcare.
Kristina Krivats Arba et al., Adv Practice Nurs 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2573-0347-C2-020