The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Barriers of Effective Communication between Midwives and Parturient Women in Hospitals of Khuzestan Province, Iran, 2012

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zeinab Vafaei 1
Mojgan Javadnoori 2
Shahnaz Najar 3
Seyed Mahmoud Latifi 4
1 M.Sc. Student of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2 Ph.D. of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3 Lecturer of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 Lecturer of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2013.551
Abstract
Introduction: Communication between midwives and parturient women affects the quality of childbirth experience. It can improve or degrade women experience of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. This study was carried out to determine barriers of effective communication between midwives and parturient women from the viewpoint of both groups.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 157 midwives who employed in non-educational hospitals and 153 parturient women who referred to those hospitals in Khuzestan province, Iran, 2011. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire that combined qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19, descriptive and inferential test (t-test).
Results: From the viewpoint of midwives; hardness of midwifery job, shortage of midwife to woman ratio, lack of work motivation, and from the viewpoint of parturient women; bad-tempered of midwife, misunderstanding of mothers needs and inappropriate environmental conditions were reported as the most important barriers of effective communication between midwives and parturient women.
Conclusion: There were differences in prioritizing communication barriers between the viewpoint of midwives and parturient women. These barriers need to be resolved by the health care system.
 
Keywords
Communication
Communication barriers
Midwifery
Parturition