BOMOYI- a capacity building project to build midwifery competence in Democratic Republic of Congo
In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), maternal and neonate health outcomes are poor. With a maternal mortality rate of 846 per 100,000 live births, and a neonatal mortality rate of 28 per 1,000 live births, and with only 0.6 midwives, physicians or nurses for every 1000 inhabitants, the challenges in relation to healthcare services quality are huge. Without the right healthcare investments, including in a highly competent midwifery health workforce, it will not be possible to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
Aim and rationale
The overall aim with this research project is to build capacity towards high quality, evidence based midwifery education programmes in D.R. Congo focusing in two provinces in DRC - Kasai and Maniema. Based on the results, the project will be scaled up nationwide.
Methods
The project will be evaluated using a complex intervention framework including a research process of developing, testing, evaluating and implementing. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data will be collected to (a) identify and manage contextual factors influencing implementation of high quality midwifery education and practice, (b) explore the implementation process of midwifery education for improved maternal and newborn health care, and (c) to evaluate midwifery students’ perception of the effects of a post-basic midwifery education program in DRC. In order to contribute to the integration of evidence-based information into policy and practice the research group will apply a systematic approach using Knowledge Translation (KT). This to provide policy makers with the information needed to successfully implement new and/or revise educational and regulatory standards, guidelines, and curricula for basic and in service training and policies.
The research is led by University of Gothenburg (Malin Bogren and Marie Berg) and conducted in collaboration with SANRU (Soins de Santé Primaires en Milieu Rural, the Swedish Embassy in DRC. The project is funded by the Swedish Embassy in DRC and administrated by SANRU.
Partner
Sanru: https://www.sanru.cd/index.php/nos-projets/bomoyi
Publications
Bogren, M., Grahn, M., Kaboru, B.B., Berg, M. Barriers to delivering quality midwifery education programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo — An interview study with educators and clinical preceptors, Women and Birth, 2020.
Bogren, M., Grahn, M., Kaboru, B.B. Berg, M. Midwives’ challenges and factors that motivate them to remain in their workplace in the Democratic Republic of Congo—an interview study. Hum Resour Health 18, 65 (2020).