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A study exploring midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy
Objective:
to explore midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy.
Design:
survey using questionnaire and interview schedule.
Participants:
a randomly selected sample of 77 Registered Midwives.
Setting:
one English regional health authority.
Measurements And Findings:
qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Midwife teachers were responsible for 95% of teaching in nutrition. 86% of midwives had received no education in nutrition following qualification. 46% of midwives achieved a poor score in nutrition knowledge. Considerable numbers of midwives felt unprepared to offer dietary advice to women from ethnic minority groups (36%), vegetarians (66%) and to women with pre-existing medical conditions (41%).
Key Conclusion:
midwives require more education in nutrition both during basic education and following qualification. IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION PRACTICE: nutritional issues should be included in continuing education programmes available to qualified midwives.