Polish public opinion on the level of preparation of midwives to provide independent antenatal education (Part III)

Introduction. Prenatal education on promoting healthy behaviors during pregnancy, the impact on the creation and strengthening ties
between parents and children, preparation for childbirth, puerperium, infant care and education of children is reflected in childbirth education
programs. Meetings are conducted by people who are familiar with the idea of labor psychoprophylaxis, primarily by midwives.

Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to learn Polish public opinion on the level of preparation of midwives to provide independent
antenatal education.

Material and methods. The study was conducted between February and May 2011, on 505 randomly selected respondents living in the
eastern region (lubelskie, podkarpackie, podlaskie and świętokrzyskie). The survey was conducted using diagnostic survey method and
a questionnaire technique. The research tool was the author’s questionnaire survey developed basing on a five point Likert scale.

Results and conclusions. In the respondents opinion midwife is prepared to provide independent antenatal education about course of
delivery (91.49%), how to perform breathing exercises and physical preparation for childbirth (91.29%), forming parental attitudes (64.16%),
providing information regarding the selection of labor place (79.01%), promotion of breast-feeding (91.88%), about proper course of
puerperium and distressing symptoms that may occur during this period (85.55%), nursing and caring for the newborn (91.68%) and
conduct education of women and their families to self-observation and taking action in order to eliminate health risk factors (61.78%). Lack
of knowledge on the level of prepararation of midwife to provide independent antenatal education characterizes mainly male respondents,
those aged between 21–30, with Bachelor’s degree, not married, without children and from countryside.
Nursing Topics 2012; 20 (4): 431–441