Midwives' self-reported knowledge and skills to assess and promote maternal health literacy: A national cross-sectional survey.
Assessment
Barriers
Maternal health literacy
Midwives
Pregnancy
Survey
Journal
Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
ISSN: 1878-1799
Titre abrégé: Women Birth
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101266131
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2021
Mar 2021
Historique:
received:
02
08
2019
revised:
17
02
2020
accepted:
17
02
2020
pubmed:
3
3
2020
medline:
31
3
2021
entrez:
2
3
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Little is known about midwives' knowledge and skills to assess and promote maternal health literacy. To test the reliability and validity of a new tool to assess midwives' health literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes. Using a cross-sectional design, midwives were recruited through professional and social media networks. The online survey included demographic and professional questions and a new measure on midwives' health literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes. Convergent validity was assessed using ten items from the Caring Assessment Scale. Perceived barriers to promoting maternal health literacy were sought. Three hundred and seven participants completed the survey. A two-factor solution accounted for 41% of variance and resulted in 14 items, including all attitude items, being removed. Cronbach's alpha reliability was acceptable (Skills=.76; Knowledge=.66). Convergent validity was established. Most midwives (77.1%, n=221) reported giving limited attention to formally assessing women's health literacy. Between 30 to 60% of midwives never or only sometimes used specific techniques to promote maternal health literacy. Most (75%, n=201) had not received education about health literacy. The new Transforming Maternity Care Collaborative Health Literacy tool was valid and reliable. Few midwives formally assessed or promoted women's health literacy. Midwives require education about maternal health literacy assessment and promotion to ensure women understand information being conveyed. A large national survey of midwives using the new tool is recommended.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Little is known about midwives' knowledge and skills to assess and promote maternal health literacy.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
To test the reliability and validity of a new tool to assess midwives' health literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes.
METHODS
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, midwives were recruited through professional and social media networks. The online survey included demographic and professional questions and a new measure on midwives' health literacy knowledge, skills and attitudes. Convergent validity was assessed using ten items from the Caring Assessment Scale. Perceived barriers to promoting maternal health literacy were sought.
FINDINGS
RESULTS
Three hundred and seven participants completed the survey. A two-factor solution accounted for 41% of variance and resulted in 14 items, including all attitude items, being removed. Cronbach's alpha reliability was acceptable (Skills=.76; Knowledge=.66). Convergent validity was established. Most midwives (77.1%, n=221) reported giving limited attention to formally assessing women's health literacy. Between 30 to 60% of midwives never or only sometimes used specific techniques to promote maternal health literacy. Most (75%, n=201) had not received education about health literacy.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The new Transforming Maternity Care Collaborative Health Literacy tool was valid and reliable. Few midwives formally assessed or promoted women's health literacy. Midwives require education about maternal health literacy assessment and promotion to ensure women understand information being conveyed. A large national survey of midwives using the new tool is recommended.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32113871
pii: S1871-5192(19)30816-9
doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.02.018
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
e188-e195Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.