ABSTRACT
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2019 was met with various responses globally in an effort to reduce its spread. Despite these efforts, however, low- and middle-income countries like Indonesia are still being confronted with challenges, especially the healthcare providers who are frontline workers in the struggle. The current study aimed to explore the support expected by and provided to Indonesian midwives and pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research method used was a descriptive-interpretative qualitative research design. The data was collected through conducting in-depth interviews with 24 midwives who were purposively sampled and evenly recruited across all regions and all areas of midwifery practice in Indonesia. The recorded interviews were coded and themes were identified, after which a thematic analysis was done. Two main themes emerged and nine sub-themes were identified from the main themes. The study findings offered new insights into the individual and collective experiences of midwives from various regions in Indonesia. They had to adjust by leveraging the internet and mobile telephones in order to continue delivering standard care to pregnant women amid the pandemic. In addition, the midwives saw the need to provide food and financial support to pregnant women. However, despite the end of the pandemic being in sight in September 2022, there is a need to continue to support midwives and pregnant women in the disruption caused by the pandemic. Government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should plan interventions targeted at providing specific support to midwives and pregnant women. © Unisa Press 2022.
ABSTRACT
As the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is highly contagious, application of preventive practices, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and hand-washing, are crucial to prevent its spread. Evidence suggests that preventive behavioural responses to COVID-19 might be affected by risk perception. The present study aimed to assess risk perception and preventive behavioural responses among midwives and the association between them. In September 2020, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Indonesia among 421 midwives. Spearman's correlation coefficient or Spearman's rho (ρ) was used to identify the factors associated with risk perception and preventive behavioural responses as well as the correlation between risk perception and preventive practices. Generally, the midwives had a high-risk perception of COVID-19 infection. However, approximately 27% of the midwives did not always use PPE, and around 56% did not often wash their hands. Midwives who worked at health facilities had a higher level of risk perception of COVID-19 infection as well as adherence to preventive practices than those who worked at universities. A significant association was found between perception of risk severity and preventive practices (p 0.05). The healthier the midwives, the higher their level of adherence to PPE and hand-washing. Older midwives tended to use PPE at any time, while those who had a chronic disease were more likely to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds more frequently. Although the midwives had a high-risk perception of the COVID-19, it is necessary to improve their preventive practices, particularly hand hygiene. © Unisa Press 2022.