Perceptions of quality of care in Midwife-led Birth Centres (MLBCs) in Uganda: Why do women choose MLBCs over other options?
Rose Chalo Nabirye, Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda, Joshua Epuitai and 9 others
PMID 38615515WHAT IT FOUND
Women in four Ugandan midwife-led birth centres valued respectful, private, non-discriminatory care, companionship, and continuity.
Midwives described home-like, responsive maternity care. These are perceptions, not proof that the centres improve outcomes.
Key findings
01Three themes were reported: respectful and dignified care, woman-centred care, and choosing care in the MLBC.
02Women reported that respectful care included non-discriminatory treatment, dignity, companionship, privacy, and consent.
03Women perceived MLBC services as available, accessible, effective, responsive, affordable, comprehensive, and integrated.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Small purposive sample of 8 women and 16 midwives in four privately owned rural Ugandan centres. No socio-demographic profile was collected. Findings are perceptions, not measured clinical outcomes or quality indicators. Midwives' own accounts may shape descriptions of care. Components of MLBC care are bundled, so any single element cannot be separated.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through a grant to the International Confederation of Midwives. The funders did not influence the study. The authors declared no competing interests. One author was the journal Editor-in-Chief but had no role in decisions; the Deputy Editor managed decisions.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that midwife-led birth centres improve maternal or neonatal outcomes or reduce mistreatment. The study recorded perceptions from 8 women and 16 midwives in four centres, with no outcome measures.