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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Ghanaian midwives' ability to deliver preconception care
1
Nursing and Midwifery training college-Teshie, midwifery, Accra, Ghana
2
University of Ghana, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Accra, Ghana
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A364
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Evidence shows that unhealthy behaviours before or during pregnancy negatively affect maternal and fetal outcomes. Preconception care can prevent birth defects, improve fertility awareness, and support healthy behaviours. However, it remains underutilized in LMICs like Ghana, with no formal program in place. As frontline providers, midwives need to be equipped with preconception care knowledge and skills, as it is a core competency in midwifery practice.
OBJECTIVES:
To explore midwives’ experiences and perceived ability to deliver preconception care.
METHODS:
A qualitative exploratory descriptive design, guided by the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) framework, was used to examine the experiences of fifteen midwives in a major hospital in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Five sub-themes were developed from the data: Knowledge of preconception care, Sources of knowledge, Components of care, Midwives’ skills, and Strategies for early intervention. The findings revealed that while most midwives had received theoretical instruction during their training, many lacked the practical expertise to effectively provide preconception care. In addition, several barriers to service delivery were identified, with cultural factors being a notable constraint.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show that Ghanaian midwives’ ability to provide preconception care is limited, raising concerns for maternal and newborn health. This highlights the urgent need for supportive policies, improved training, and resource allocation to ensure midwives can fulfil this critical role effectively.
KEY MESSAGE:
Enhancing midwives’ ability to deliver effective preconception care is crucial for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide. Investing in targeted education and practical skills development will prepare midwives to provide high-quality care, supporting the global goal of one million more skilled midwives. Breastfeeding - milk donation
Evidence shows that unhealthy behaviours before or during pregnancy negatively affect maternal and fetal outcomes. Preconception care can prevent birth defects, improve fertility awareness, and support healthy behaviours. However, it remains underutilized in LMICs like Ghana, with no formal program in place. As frontline providers, midwives need to be equipped with preconception care knowledge and skills, as it is a core competency in midwifery practice.
OBJECTIVES:
To explore midwives’ experiences and perceived ability to deliver preconception care.
METHODS:
A qualitative exploratory descriptive design, guided by the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) framework, was used to examine the experiences of fifteen midwives in a major hospital in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Five sub-themes were developed from the data: Knowledge of preconception care, Sources of knowledge, Components of care, Midwives’ skills, and Strategies for early intervention. The findings revealed that while most midwives had received theoretical instruction during their training, many lacked the practical expertise to effectively provide preconception care. In addition, several barriers to service delivery were identified, with cultural factors being a notable constraint.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show that Ghanaian midwives’ ability to provide preconception care is limited, raising concerns for maternal and newborn health. This highlights the urgent need for supportive policies, improved training, and resource allocation to ensure midwives can fulfil this critical role effectively.
KEY MESSAGE:
Enhancing midwives’ ability to deliver effective preconception care is crucial for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide. Investing in targeted education and practical skills development will prepare midwives to provide high-quality care, supporting the global goal of one million more skilled midwives. Breastfeeding - milk donation
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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