Adaptation and efficacy of a cultural competency training program for Icelandic midwives: A mixed-methods pilot study

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Cultural Competency Training
• Midwifery Education

Background:

• Migrant women require culturally competent maternity care for optimal outcomes.
• Existing cultural competency programs may need adaptation for specific national contexts.
• The Operational Refugee and Migrant Maternal Approach (ORAMMA) is a training program designed to enhance care for migrant mothers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt the ORAMMA cultural competency program for the Icelandic healthcare setting.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the adapted ORAMMA program in improving midwives' cultural competency.

Main Methods:

• The ORAMMA program was translated and critically reviewed by Icelandic midwives.
• A mixed-methods approach combining a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design and focus group interviews was used.
• Participants included midwives and midwifery students, with quantitative data analyzed using Wilcoxon and McNemar tests, and qualitative data through descriptive analysis.

Main Results:

• Post-training scores showed statistically significant improvements in self-perceived cultural competency, skills, attitude, and knowledge among participants.
• Qualitative analysis revealed themes of "practical and useful information," "more understanding and empathy," and "increased confidence."

Conclusions:

• The adapted ORAMMA program is effective in enhancing cultural competency among midwives in a Nordic context.
• Findings support the implementation of culturally adapted training programs to improve maternity care for migrant women.
• The study provides valuable insights for policy and practice in midwifery education and migrant healthcare.