The professional role of skilled birth attendants' in Nepal - A phenomenographic study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the Nepali Skilled Birth Attendants' (SBAs) perceptions of their professional role.

METHODS

Fifteen Nepalese SBAs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A phenomenographic approach was chosen to describe their qualitatively different and unreflective conceptions of the professional role. Data was analysed in a seven-step process and three description categories and six conceptions emerged.

RESULTS

The SBAs described the role as provider, the role as counsellor and the role as educator. As provider, the SBA maintained midwifery nursing and prevented maternal deaths. As counsellor, the SBA advocated and empowered women and facilitated family planning. As educator, the SBA promoted health of families and health in the society. She also tutored students and colleagues about skills and human rights.

CONCLUSION

The SBAs' vulnerability emerged especially in rural areas while preventing complications and newborn and maternal death in rural areas where she often worked alone with lack of proper equipment and access to other medical professionals. The SBAs perceived that their professional roles required knowledge and experiences, were safety was closely linked to health education. Ethical dilemma could arose when they had to relate to the families' cultural decisions. Education was a key factor connected to close life-saving procedures and to retain good quality and safety in newborn and maternal healthcare. The SBAs switched between their three roles, always striving to be aware of compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals policy.