A study exploring midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
to explore midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy.


METHODS
survey using questionnaire and interview schedule.


METHODS
a randomly selected sample of 77 Registered Midwives.


METHODS
one English regional health authority.


RESULTS
qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Midwife teachers were responsible for 95% of teaching in nutrition. 86% of midwives had received no education in nutrition following qualification. 46% of midwives achieved a poor score in nutrition knowledge. Considerable numbers of midwives felt unprepared to offer dietary advice to women from ethnic minority groups (36%), vegetarians (66%) and to women with pre-existing medical conditions (41%).


CONCLUSIONS
midwives require more education in nutrition both during basic education and following qualification. IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION PRACTICE: nutritional issues should be included in continuing education programmes available to qualified midwives.
Mulliner
C M
CM
Spiby
H
H
Fraser
R B
RB
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires