Improved cognitive knowledge of midwives practising in the eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa through the study of a self-education manual.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the Maternal Care manual of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP) is effective in improving the cognitive knowledge of midwives.


METHODS
A prospective controlled trial in a region where PEP was not previously used. The midwifery knowledge of all midwives caring for pregnant women in the three towns was tested before the commencement of the study. The Maternal Care manual was then introduced to the midwives in he study town and they worked through the programme. Following the completion of the manual, all midwives were tested again with the same test. The time interval between the pre and post testing was 12 months.


METHODS
Three towns on the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.


METHODS
All Midwives caring for pregnant women in three towns.


METHODS
The Maternal Care manual of PEP was studied by the midwives in the study town.


RESULTS
Changes in cognitive knowledge were tested with multiple choice questions. A significant improvement (p < 0.0001) was achieved in the study town. The mean score (maximum 70) improved by 22.4 (32%) marks, from 35.9 (51%) to 58.3 (83%).


CONCLUSIONS
The cognitive knowledge of midwives who completed the Maternal Care manual improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are to particular importance as the method by which the Maternal Care manual of PEP was applied conforms to the method suggested for the its national use.
Theron
G B
GB
gbth@gerga.sun.ac.za
D000328:Adult; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D013664:Teaching Materials