Development of a framework to preparemidwives for relief work in West Africa

Marie Elise Fred, WG Kernohan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background/Aims: Midwives who volunteer as aid workersoverseas need to be equipped with knowledge of the localculture and customs prior to their deployment. However, thisinformation is not always easily accessible. The aim of this studywas to address the need for knowledge prior to departure byinterviewing expatriate workers about their experiences of livingand working in Liberia, to develop a framework to guide thestructure of future guideline development.Methods: In this qualitative study, eight expatriate nursesand midwives working with humanitarian organisations wereinterviewed; transcripts were subject to thematic contentanalysis. It was possible to confirm the findings through personalexperiences of a 7-week placement as a midwife.Results/Conclusions: The findings suggest that information isrequired to support intrinsic, extrinsic and practical aspects ofworking as a midwife in humanitarian response situations. Thistripartite structure can be used to inform preparation more effectively.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)72-76
JournalAfrican Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
Volume9
Issue number2
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 14 Oct 2014

Bibliographical note

Reference text: Deeny P, McFetridge B (2005) the impact of disaster on culture, self, and
identity: increased awareness by health care professionals is needed. Nurs Clin
North Am 40(3): 431–40
Department of Health (2005) Research Governance Framework for Health and
Social Care. 2nd edn. DH, London
Elo S, Kyngäs H (2007) The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs
62(1): 107–15
Elsharkawi H, Sandbladh H, Aloudat T et al (2010) Preparing humanitarian
workers for disaster response: a Red Cross/Red Crescent field training model.
Humanitarian Exchange Magazine 46: 45–7
Goesch JN, de Fanti AS, Béchet S, Consigny P-H (2010) Comparison of
knowledge on travel related health risks and their prevention among
humanitarian aid workers and other travellers consulting at the Institut
Pasteur travel clinic in Paris, France. Travel Med Infect Dis 8(6): 364–72
Graneheim UH, Lundman B (2003) Qualitative content analysis in nursing
research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trust-worthiness. Nurse
Educ Today 24(2): 105–12
Hammersley M, Atkinson P (1995) Ethnography. 2nd edn. Routledge, London
Herman J, Hill D (2009) Advising the traveler. Medicine 38(1): 56–9
Holloway I, Wheeler S (2010) Qualitative Research in Nursing and Healthcare.
3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2005)
Malaria: heath information for delegates. IFRC, Geneva
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2009)
Managing stress in the field. IFRC, Geneva
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2011a)
Medical- Cote d’Ivoire. IFRC, Geneva
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2011b) What
you need to know to stay healthy when on mission. IFRC, Geneva
Johnson M, Long T (2010) Research ethics. In: Gerrish K, Lacey A, eds. The
Research Process In Nursing. 6th edn. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester: 27–35
Munhall PL (2011) Nursing Research A Qualitative Perspective. 5th edn. Jones &
Bartlett Learning, London
Roberts L, Hofmann C-A (2004) Assessing the impact of humanitarian
assistance in the health sector. Emerging themes in Epidemiology 1: 3
Spira A (2003) Preparing the traveller. Lancet 361(9366): 1368–81
Stemler (2001) An overview of content analysis. Pract Assess, Res Eval 7(17): 1–9
Subbarao I, Lyznicki J M, Hsu EB et al (2008) A consensus based educational
framework and competency set for the discipline of disaster medicine and
public health preparedness. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
2(1): 57–68
Tappen RM (2011) Advanced nursing research: from theory to practice. Jones &
Bartlett Learning, London
The Sphere Project (2004) The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and
Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. The Sphere Project, Geneva
Tuhkanen S, Maijala H, Kernohan WG (2008) A disaster preparedness and
response project in Afghanistan:. J Adv Nurs 64(3): 287–97
Turner III DW (2010) Qualitative interview design; a practical guide for novice
investigators. Qualitative Report 15(3): 754–60
US Department of State (2012) Background note: Liberia. USDoS,
Washington. www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm (accessed 1 April 2015)
US General Accounting Office (1996) Content analysis: A Methodology for
Structuring and Analyzing Written Material. GAO; Program Evaluation and
Methodology Division, Washington
Watson H, Booth J, Whyte R (2010) Observation. In: Gerrish K, Lacey A, eds.
The Research Process in Nursing. 6th edn. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester: 382–94
Williams J, Nocera M, Casteel C (2008) The effectiveness of disaster training for
health care workers: a systematic review. Annals Emerg Med 52(3): 211–22
World Health Organization (2011) Country Cooperation Strategy at a glance;
Liberia. WHO, Geneva
World Health Organization (2012) Countries; Liberia. WHO, Geneva

Keywords

  • Midwives volunteer aid workers

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of a framework to preparemidwives for relief work in West Africa'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this