Education of postpartum hemorrhage management clinical skills among midwifery students in Malawi: a qualitative study

Background

Unskilled health professionals in healthcare systems are contributing to the high numbers of maternal mortality in Malawi. It is therefore essential that midwifery students acquire postpartum hemorrhage management clinical skills, especially in view of high maternal mortality, with postpartum hemorrhage being the leading cause. However, there is limited evidence on how the teaching is conducted with regard to students’ learning of PPH management clinical skills.

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the current teaching of postpartum hemorrhage management clinical skills in undergraduate nursing and midwifery program in Malawi.

Methods

The study applied a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Data were collected through ten individual interviews with lecturers and three focus group discussions with twenty-four students in a midwifery education program in Malawi. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) there are various teaching and learning approaches for PPH management in use and (2) unpreparedness of midwifery students in postpartum hemorrhage management for patient care.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that teaching of postpartum hemorrhage management clinical skills in an undergraduate nursing and midwifery programme in Malawi focuses on theoretical knowledge rather than practical skills, leaving midwifery students unprepared for postpartum hemorrhage management during clinical practice. The findings from the present study may provide knowledge guiding revision of the curriculum for the undergraduate nursing and midwifery programme in Malawi to consider global standards of midwifery education; enhance the lecturer to student ratio to provide the students with appropriate supervision; and to employ innovative teaching and learning strategies that promote peer education and skills practice among midwifery students. In addition, to conduct more research related to various teaching approaches in nursing and midwifery educational programs and among qualified midwives in Malawi.

Statement of significance

Postpartum hemorrhage management education in undergraduate nursing and midwifery programme in Malawi focuses more on theory than clinical skills. Improving midwifery students' acquisition of PPH management clinical skills is needed to ultimately help lower Malawi's maternal mortality ratio.