Abstract
Problem
Childbearing women from ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom (UK) have significantly poorer perinatal outcomes overall.
Background
Childbearing women from ethnic minority groups report having poorer experiences and outcomes in perinatal care, and health professionals report having difficulty in providing effective care to them. Yet barriers in relation to providing such care remain underreported.
Aim
The aim of this study was to elicit midwives' insights in relation to the common barriers in providing effective perinatal care to women from ethnic minority groups with 'high risk' pregnancies and how to overcome these barriers.
Methods
A qualitative study was undertaken in a single obstetric led unit based in London, UK. A thematic analysis was undertaken to identify themes from the data.
Findings
A total of 20 midwives participated. They self-identified as White British (n=7), Black African (n=7), Black Caribbean (n=3) and Asian (n=3). Most (n=12) had more than 10 years’ experience practising as a registered midwife (range 2 – 35 years). Four themes were identified: 1) Communication, 2) Continuity of carer, 3) Policy and 4) Social determinants. Racism and unconscious bias underpin many of the findings presented.
Discussion
Co-created community hubs may improve access to more effective care for childbearing women from ethnic minority groups. A focus on robust anti-racism interventions, continuity of carer, staff wellbeing and education along with the provision of orientation and bespoke translation services are also suggested for the reduction of poorer outcomes and experiences.
Conclusion
Along with policies designed to promote equality and irradicate racism, there is a need for co-created community hubs and continuity of carer in perinatal services. Further research is also required to develop and evaluate culturally safe, and evidence-based interventions designed to address the current disparities apparent.
Childbearing women from ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom (UK) have significantly poorer perinatal outcomes overall.
Background
Childbearing women from ethnic minority groups report having poorer experiences and outcomes in perinatal care, and health professionals report having difficulty in providing effective care to them. Yet barriers in relation to providing such care remain underreported.
Aim
The aim of this study was to elicit midwives' insights in relation to the common barriers in providing effective perinatal care to women from ethnic minority groups with 'high risk' pregnancies and how to overcome these barriers.
Methods
A qualitative study was undertaken in a single obstetric led unit based in London, UK. A thematic analysis was undertaken to identify themes from the data.
Findings
A total of 20 midwives participated. They self-identified as White British (n=7), Black African (n=7), Black Caribbean (n=3) and Asian (n=3). Most (n=12) had more than 10 years’ experience practising as a registered midwife (range 2 – 35 years). Four themes were identified: 1) Communication, 2) Continuity of carer, 3) Policy and 4) Social determinants. Racism and unconscious bias underpin many of the findings presented.
Discussion
Co-created community hubs may improve access to more effective care for childbearing women from ethnic minority groups. A focus on robust anti-racism interventions, continuity of carer, staff wellbeing and education along with the provision of orientation and bespoke translation services are also suggested for the reduction of poorer outcomes and experiences.
Conclusion
Along with policies designed to promote equality and irradicate racism, there is a need for co-created community hubs and continuity of carer in perinatal services. Further research is also required to develop and evaluate culturally safe, and evidence-based interventions designed to address the current disparities apparent.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 152-159 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Women and Birth |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 29 May 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
© 2021, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.
Funder
Funding Information: The Mary Seacole Awards are funded by Health Education England and are awarded in association with Royal College of Midwives , Royal College of Nursing, Unison and Unite with support from NHS Employers.Keywords
- pregnancy
- midwifery care
- qualitative research
- cultural safety
- community hubs
- Pregnancy
- Midwifery care
- cultural safety, community hubs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Maternity and Midwifery