Promotion of respectful maternity care through incorporating of ubuntu philosophy during intrapartum care : an appreciative inquiry approach

Abstract

Introduction: Intrapartum care is a crucial event in a woman’s life, and all women have a right to receive respectful care during labour. Respectful maternity care has been noted as the best strategy to improve the quality of maternity care and promote positive birthing experiences for childbearing women. Caring forms a core component of nursing, and the Ubuntu philosophy aligns with nursing, reflecting caring and showing humanity towards others, which may be used to promote respect during intrapartum care.

Aims: The overall aim of the study was to promote respectful maternity care (RMC) through incorporating the ubuntu philosophy during intrapartum care at a district hospital in the Tshwane area.

Research design and Methods: A qualitative descriptive research design following an appreciative inquiry approach was used in this study. Appreciative inquiry follows a 5D cycle,but only three cycles were observed in this study. A purposive sampling method was used to select the 13 midwives who worked in the study setting, which were included in the study. Data was collected through a workshop with all the participants. Data analysis using the thematic analysis method was conducted.

Findings of the study: during the Discovery phase, the study generated four themes (4),namely, the Promotion of comfort and support for childbearing women during labour for good birth outcomes, the Provision of information in a respectful way, upholding the dignity of the childbearing women as well as provision of cultural safety care. The Dream phase generated the following themes: Improved attitudes and image of midwives to promote respectful maternity care, empowering midwives through training to ensure safe birth outcomes, adequate resources to promote respectful maternity care and lastly, development of infrastructure for effective implementation of respectful maternity care. During the Design phase, seven (7) strategies were developed to achieve, implement and successfully sustain respectful maternity care through incorporating the ubuntu philosophy during intrapartum care.

Conclusion: Midwives in this study embraced the Appreciative Inquiry and had an opportunity to appreciate themselves and the contribution they implementation during intrapartum care. They considered their facility as fully prepared to provide respectful maternity care in order to increase institutional deliveries and ensure continuous dignified, compassionate and respectful and caring maternal and child health care services. however, the Ubuntu Principles did not emerge strongly, therefore the explored midwives’ views on respectful maternity care incorporating ubuntu philosophy. Midwives still need to be empowered with ongoing education, communication skills and a supportive workplace that respects the privacy and dignity of childbearing women. The Ubuntu principle and respectful maternity care must also be incorporated into the curriculum for all healthcare professionals who offer maternity services.