Analysis of the Relationship between Midwife Characteristics and the Implementation of Gender Responsive Midwifery Care

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Midwifery care is not just about providing physical care, but also involves psychosocial and cultural aspects. Midwives not only function as health service providers, but also as partners and supporters for women during the pregnancy, birth and postpartum periods. Deep understanding of women's needs, family involvement, and recognition of gender differences are the keys to providing quality and responsive midwifery care.

Objectives: This study aims to measure midwife characteristics related to the implementation of gender responsive midwifery care using bivariate analysis with chi-square.

Methods: The type of research used in this research is a survey (analytic survey) using a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted to determine the relationship between midwife characteristics (age, education, length of practice and history of exposure to gender concepts) with the implementation of gender in midwifery care. The population in this study were all midwives who have independent practice places in the DKI Jakarta area and the sample calculation used was using the sample formula of adequate specificity or sensitivity so that a sample of 300 midwives was obtained.

Results: The results of the study showed that the midwife's characteristics, namely age, education, length of practice as a midwife and the midwife's history of exposure to information about midwifery care from a gender perspective, were related to the implementation of gender responsive midwifery care practices at her practice site (p value <0.001). It is necessary to increase the distribution of midwives' knowledge about gender concepts so that midwives are able to implement gender responsive midwifery care in every service provided.

Conclusions: This research found that midwife characteristics including age, education, length of practice as a midwife and the midwife's history of exposure to information about midwifery care from a gender perspective were related to the implementation of gender responsive midwifery care practices in the midwife's independent practice.