Clinical Competency During Undergraduate Midwifery Training in Malawi: A Concept Analysis.

Background: The purpose of midwifery education is to produce clinically competent midwives. However, clinical training in Malawi faces multiple challenges, and the concept of Clinical Competency (CC) has not been analysed in this context. This article analyses CC during undergraduate midwifery training in Malawi to elucidate its attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. Methods: A literature search was performed on data bases, Google Scholar, PubMed, and CINAHL, using the following terms: clinical competency, midwifery competency, nursing competency, nursing and midwifery competency. Published articles were retrieved and clinical competency analysis was guided by Walker and Avant's strategy. Results: CC attributes were knowledge, skills, attitudes, performance level, professionalism, and entrustable professional activity. Antecedents included motivation, role models, learning environment and personal traits. The consequences of CC include confidence, client safety, and quality of care. CC can be measured through a combination of four strategies: observing a student practising it in clinical area, simulation or Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), application through written essays or case presentations, and knowledge-based assessment. Conclusion: CC is a multidimensional concept and its definition and defining attributes are contextual. Similarly, clinical competencies are a major determinant of educational decisions such as curriculum nucleus, length of clinical placement, teaching strategies, and student assessment methods. However, CC and its attributes have not been fully utilised in Malawi, especially in clinical teaching and student clinical assessments. There is a need to adequately prepare midwifery educators, clinical staff, and students to deliver quality clinical competencies consistent with competency-based education. Adoption of different assessment strategies and development of valid and reliable tools is necessary to comprehensively measure CC among midwifery students in Malawi.

The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health Seeking Behaviors of Adults Living With Chronic Conditions: A View Through the Health Belief Model.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruption in every facet of life including health service delivery. This has threatened the attainment of global targets to improve health and wellbeing of all persons. In particular, for persons living with chronic diseases, who require consistent monitoring by health professionals and medication to enhance their health, understanding how the pandemic has disruption their access to health care delivery is critical for interventions aimed at improving health service delivery for all as well as preparedness for future pandemic. This study applied the constructs of the Health Belief Model, to explore the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health seeking behaviors of persons living with chronic diseases. The design was exploratory descriptive. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data among persons living with chronic diseases in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Thematic analysis, both inductive and deductive, was conducted to unearth the findings. Awareness of increased susceptibility and risk of a more severe episode if they contracted COVID-19 as a result of the existing chronic diseases was identified. Lack of access to health professionals during the peak of the pandemic as well as the fear of contracting the virus while accessing their regular chronic disease clinic was the main barriers identified. Information in the media served as cues to action for adopting preventive health strategies. Behavior modifications; dietary and lifestyle, self-medication and adoption of COVID-19 related precautions were practiced. Susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 contributed to missed adherence to treatment appointment. The health belief model was a useful framework in exploring the health seeking behavior of the adults living with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 in this study setting. Intensifying targeted education for persons living with chronic diseases will contribute to the adoption of positive health seeking behaviors during future pandemic.

Prevalence and associated factor of postpartum depression among mothers living with HIV at an urban postnatal clinic in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression among mothers living with HIV is a significant public health problem due to its effects on engagement in care, HIV disease progression, and an increased risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression among mothers living with HIV. DESIGN: The study employed a cross-sectional quantitative research design. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, we consecutively recruited 290 participants among mothers attending postnatal, immunization, and family planning clinics at an urban clinic in Uganda. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, we collected data on socio-demographics, obstetric, and HIV-related characteristics. Postpartum depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire version 9. We classified participants with Patient Health Questionnaire version 9 scores of ⩾10 as having postpartum depression. We conducted logistic regression to examine the association between postpartum depression and independent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of postpartum depression was 15.9%. After controlling for other variables, participants who reported poor male partner support were more likely to experience postpartum depression compared to those who had good partner support (adjusted odds ratio = 4.52, confidence interval = 2.31-8.84, p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Mothers living with HIV should be routinely assessed for the presence of depression and male partner support. Health care providers of HIV-infected women should design strategies to promote male partner support for better maternal, infant, and HIV treatment outcomes.