Midwives practices in adolescent girls' sexuality and reproductive health services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Aster Teshome Woldkiros
Adolescence is a critical stage of life marked by rapid biological, emotional, and social
development, during which everyone can develop the skills necessary for a productive,
healthy, and fulfilled life. Because they are generally regarded as healthy, adolescents
are frequently overlooked by the health care system. Unmet needs among adolescent
girls include sexual and reproductive health care services, continuity of care, and
competent care providers. Midwives are experienced front-line sexual and reproductive
health care providers for adolescent girls and women. Despite midwives’ competency,
their potential contribution to adolescent girls’ sexual reproductive health care services
is largely not realised.
The aim of the study was to develop guidelines for midwives to improve adolescent
girls’ sexual and reproductive health outcomes in public health facilities of Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. The study was conducted at two state hospitals and 48 state health centres in
Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
The researchers used a mixed methods research design to collect, analyse, and
integrate quantitative and qualitative data. The study was divided into three stages.
Phase 1: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered
questionnaire. Phase 2: Semi-structured interviews with experienced midwives were
conducted. Based on the findings of Phases 1 and 2, guidelines for midwifery practices
to improve adolescent girls' sexual and reproductive health outcomes were developed
in Phase 3.
The study found that majority of midwives provides Intrapartum, postpartum and
antenatal care to adolescent girls. There were fewer midwives available to provide contraception, abortion care, and the diagnosis and treatment of STI/HIV. According to the study, guidelines on family planning, comprehensive abortion care, and midwifery
care practice standards are available but do not always reach providers as expected.
Guidelines are valuable resources that should always be easily accessible and
available. The developed technical and procedural guidelines for midwives' practices
cover seven major topics in order to implement an integrated approach and contribute
to improving the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of adolescent girls.
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