Investigation on the core competency and its influencing factors of midwife in Anhui

ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of core competency among midwives in Anhui province and analyze its influencing factors, and to provide the reference for improvement of midwifery education.

MethodsA total of 291 midwife in second and higher levels hospitals in Anhui province were investigated by the general self-efficacy scale, the midwife core competence questionnaire and the self-efficacy scale.

ResultsThe mean score of the core competency among midwives was(170.40±29.13) points, which occupied in 77.5% of the total score; with higher scores in intrapartum care, post-partum care and public health care abilities, and lower scores in pre-gestational care, pregnancy care and neonatal care abilities.The single factor analysis showed that the working time, professional title, educational background, post of the last year and self-efficacy affected the core competency of midwives, the differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).Multiple regression analysis showed that the working time, professional title and self-efficacy affected the improvement of core competency of midwives(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe core competency of midwives in Anhui province is above the medium level, but there is still room for further improvement.In order to meet the increasing demand of pregnant and maternal women and their families' services, the educators should further improve Midwifery professional education and on-the-job training, and promote the overall improvement of the core competency among midwives.