Midwives’ Perspective on Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness Structure: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria;

2 Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, USA

10.30476/ijcbnm.2026.108394.2888

Abstract

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is a key strategy for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Midwives are central to BPCR implementation, but their perspectives on BPCR structure remain underexplored in Nigeria. This study explored midwives’ perspectives on BPCR structure in resource-limited environments.
Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted over three months, from February to April 2025, using semi-structured interviews with 14 purposively selected midwives from primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. Data collection was continued till data saturation. Data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Rigor was ensured through strategies addressing credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, and ATLAS.ti version 25 was used for data analysis.
Results: Three themes emerged from the data analysis: 1) Provide education and planning prerequisites, 2) Institutional support for midwives, and 3) Supportive network for pregnant women. Three subthemes emerged under providing education and planning requisites: complication orientation, detailed information access, and proper planning. Two subthemes were identified under institutional support for midwives: professional development and collaborative support. Two subthemes emerged under supportive network for pregnant women: emergency preparedness infrastructure and community-based support networks.
Conclusion: Midwives in the resource-limited setting perceived BPCR as a comprehensive framework encompassing education about complications, detailed information provision, and practical planning with families, alongside the dual nature of support institutional mechanisms for providers and community networks for pregnant women.
 

Keywords

References

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