An evaluation of the domiciliary midwifery services in Jamaica

RESUMEN

A random sample of 78 district midwives, representing 24 por ciento of all district midwives in the government health service, were interviewed to assess their knowledge and practice of domiciliary midwifery as part of the Jamaican Perinital Morbidity and Mortality Survey in 1986. A standard questionnaire based on the WHO guidelines on appropriate technology for birth was used. Records of their preceding home deliveries were examined and their delivery bags inspected for availability of basic supplies and equipment. A mean of 21.5 home deliveries were attended by each rural midwife in 1986 compared with 3.8 in the urban areas. Routine laboratory were not done on many mothers and there were long delays in getting results. Midwives' knowledge was average overall with one third of them showing poor knowledge of high risk factors in infants and newborn care. Most midwives routinely shave and give enemas to mothers. Unavailability of equipment and supplies, including vitamin K and eye drops, is common. 24 por ciento of midwives made no prenatal home visit in the previous month and 80 por ciento fell short of the set norm of 5 postnatal home visits. 84 por ciento of midwives put the baby to the mother's breast within one hour of delivery. Essential supplies and lab investigations need to be provided and measures taken to improve domiciliary midwifery through a programme of continuing education and better supervision of midwives. A strategy to promote home deliveries under specified conditions needs to be considered.