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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify the challenges experienced by midwives during the provision of postnatal care.
Learning Objective 2: The learners will be motivated to conduct research the will assist with the strategies to incorporate indigenous postnatal care practices into midwifery healthcare system.
R.N, Ngunyulu, MCur, University of Pretoria, Department of Nursing Sciences
F.M, Mulaudzi, D Litt et Phil, University of Pretoria, Department of Nursing Science
M.D, Peu, PhD, University of Pretoria, Department of Nursing Science
Abstract
There is concern that midwives in South Africa are failing to provide culturally congruent postnatal care due to inadequate culturally competent knowledge and skills, as they were trained only within the biomedical paradigm. Indigenous postnatal care practices are not included in the midwifery curriculum. As a result, midwives operate within a western point of view only, instead of combining indigenous and western healthcare practices. The inability of midwives to provide culturally congruent care results in substandard care according to standards of practice for culturally competent nursing care. The provision of substandard postnatal care puts the patient’s health at risk of complications and even death. A qualitative study using in-depth individual interviews were conducted with midwives to determine their perceptions regarding incorporating indigenous postnatal care practices into the midwifery healthcare system. The midwives suggested that indigenous postnatal care practices should be incorporated into the midwifery healthcare system to empower midwives with culturally competent knowledge and skills. Cultural competency might assist midwives to develop a positive attitude towards patients of diverse cultures and to accept traditional birth attendants. Further research must be conducted to discover strategies to incorporate indigenous postnatal care practices into the midwifery healthcare system.
Keywords: indigenous practices, midwife, perceptions, postnatal care
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