Nursing Midwifery Commons^™

Exploring Factors Informing The Choice Of Caesarean Sections Among Couples, And Healthcare Workers: A Case Of The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Mercy Mukubwa

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: A caesarean section (C/S) is a lifesaving procedure to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. It is associated with more risks compared to a vaginal birth. The rates of C/S have been on an upward trend globally and are expected to continue to rise further. C/S predisposes neonates to poor outcomes, some of which could be life-threatening compared to vaginal birth. Similarly, C/S mothers are at greater risk for serious complications.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the decision to undergo a caesarean section among couples and healthcare workers …

Association Of Covid-19 Status With Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women At Mombasa County Referral Hospital, Kenya, Salome Mghoi Rajab

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has raised global concern regarding maternal and neonatal health owing to physiological and immunological changes that may heighten disease severity. Despite the global evidence linking COVID-19 infection with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, data from Sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. This leaves an essential vacuum in our understanding of how COVID-19 status affects maternal and neonatal outcomes in counties like Mombasa, where health-care system problems may alter risks. Vertical transmission remains a puzzle to be solved.

Aim: To assess the association of COVID-19 status on maternal and neonatal outcomes between March 2020 to March 2022.

Methodology: A …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Associated With Postpartum Hemorrhage Among Postpartum Women In Selected Health Facilities In Machakos County - A Case-Control Study, Daniel Kyalo Muthiani

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) refers to blood loss ≥500mls after vaginal birth and ≥1000mls after cesarean section. PPH is of concern in low and middle-income countries and is estimated to cause maternal mortality every 10 minutes, with a prevalence of 25% and 34% in Uganda and Kenya, respectively. Despite efforts to address this issue, the prevalence of PPH remains high and is associated with maternal and fetal risk factors that can present along the continuum of birth. Understanding the risk factors is necessary in designing appropriate interventions for their prevention.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, maternal and fetal risk factors …

Determinants Of Delayed Emergency Caesarian Sections In Machakos County Referral Hospital, Kenya: A Retrospective Study, Anne Loko Mutiso

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Labour to delivery is a natural process which begins and ends spontaneously. However, the need for an emergency caesarean section arises if the life of the mother or the foetus or both are in danger. Time is of essence and therefore a Decision to Delivery Interval of 30 minutes is considered the gold standard (NICE 2021).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish hospital and client related factors that cause delay in emergency caesarean sections in Machakos County Referral Hospital.

Methodology: A Retrospective Descriptive study design was adopted whereby sample of 368 files of …

Determinants Of Poor Perinatal Outcomes Among Babies Born Of Mothers With Preeclampsia At Mama Lucky Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi County, Sarah Wambui Chege

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy illness characterised by the onset of hypertension in a non-hypertensive woman after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Studies have connected preeclampsia to significant adverse effects on the mother and the newborn, a common obstetric emergency in Kenya. Determinants of poor perinatal outcomes in babies born to preeclamptic mothers have not been intensively investigated.

Objective: The study evaluated the determinants of perinatal outcomes among neonates born to mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital between July 2021 and June 2022.

Methodology: A quantitative retrospective cross-sectional inquiry was conducted. Data reviewed comprised …

Factors Influencing The Delivery Of Preconception Care Services Among Nursing And Midwifery Students At Aga Khan University, Kenya, Levy Mukolwe

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Preconception care (PCC) encompasses a range of biomedical, behavioural, and social interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes. However, the effective implementation of PCC services, particularly in developing countries, faces multifaceted challenges. This cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted among 104 nursing and midwifery students at Aga Khan University and selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. 69.9% of the respondents were nurses, while 30.1% were midwives. 28.8% of participants knew the definition of PCC. The importance of various PCC components, such as nutritional deficiency screening, genetic risk assessment, environmental hazard …

Determinats Of Antenatal Clinic Attendance Among Female Sex Workers, Nairobi County, Kenya, Lonah Vuhia Tunya

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Due to stigma and discrimination, female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa encounter obstacles while attempting to get antenatal care (ANC), as sex work is a crime. As a result of not using family planning (FP), FSWs frequently experience unwanted pregnancies. This study looked into the antenatal experiences of FSWs, how they receive ANC and any obstacles they encounter. The broad objective of the study was to assess the determinants of ANC attendance among FSWs in Nairobi County. The specific objectives were to assess the level of knowledge on the importance of ANC attendance, identify the challenges to ANC attendance …

Determinants Of Hospital Deliveries Among Maasai Women Aged 18-49 Years At Saikeri Village In Kajiado County, Kenya, Miriam M. Mwangi

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Owing to low (51.2%) hospital deliveries at Kajiado County, the study investigated, determinants of hospital deliveries among Masai women at Saikeri,village Kajiado County. Hospital deliveries are an indicator of improved outcomes of maternal and neonatal health. Maternal mortality is a worldwide public health problem, which reports over 300,000 maternal deaths annually, with about 810 deaths occurring daily. About 94% of global maternal deaths occur in developing countries, with Sub- Saharan Africa reporting 56% of the total global maternal deaths. Kenya reported 362 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Approval was sort from DRC, ISERC,NACOSTI,MoH and MoE. Descriptive cross-sectional study method, …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Stillbirths Among Women Giving Birth In Four Hospitals Of Eswatini- A Multi-Centre Study, Phetsile Nolungelo Thwala

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Stillbirth, a component of perinatal mortality, remains a global burden, with approximately 2 million occurring annually worldwide and mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is a dearth of studies on stillbirth in some Low-middle income countries, such as Eswatini. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors for stillbirths among women giving birth in four selected hospitals in Eswatini.

Methods: A quantitative unmatched case-control study was conducted using records of stillbirths (cases) and live births (controls) from July 1 to December 31, 2021. Consecutive sampling and systematic random sampling were …