Promoting a positive norm towards planned home birth practice among midwives: A randomised controlled trial

Auwalu Muhammed, Department of Nursing Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Lee Khuan; Shariff-Ghazali Sazlina;  Salmiah Md Said; and Mairo Hassan, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

This study was to determine the effect of a PHB education in promoting a positive norm towards PHB among midwives. A parallel group randomised controlled trial was conducted among 226 midwives. A close-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. The intervention group received training, while the control group maintained a usual care. Data were re-collected at immediate-post, and three months follow-up. Statistical analysis showed a significant change in the mean subjective norm within the intervention group (p;lt;0.001), but not in the control group (p =0.140). The participants in the intervention demonstrated a more positive norm towards PHB practice compared to the control group at immediate post-intervention (p & lt;0.001, d =0.9), and three-month follow-up (p & lt;0.001, d=0.9). PHB education is effective in promoting a positive norm towards PHB practice among midwives. The finding may inform midwives and policy makers on the strategy to create a network of collaboration towards safe motherhood.