ArticlePloS one2025
Midwifery care in The Gambia: A focus group study with clinical midwives, midwifery students, educators and leaders on how barriers and facilitators impact quality midwifery care.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Transitioning to midwifery models of care: Implementation insights from focus groups with Health leaders in two African countries.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2026Article
- Prevalence and Determinants of Facility Delivery Among Women in Somalia: Insights from the 2020 Somali Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS).International journal of women's health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
objectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the impact of barriers and facilitators on the quality of midwifery care in The Gambia, from the perspectives of clinical midwives, midwifery students, educators, and leaders.
methodsA qualitative study based on focus group discussions with 29 clinical midwives, midwifery students, educators and leaders analysed with content analysis. The study was conducted in The Gambia.
resultsThe analyses led to three main categories outlining barriers and facilitators for the quality of midwifery care: 1) the gap between theory and practice, 2) working in a harsh environment and 3) facilitating factors that can pave ways forward. The results are described in generic categories: 1a) national plans and facility-based guidelines, 1b) midwifery education, 1c) becoming a skilled midwife, 2a) scarcity of resources, 2b) encountering community barriers, 2c) midwives - a passionate but demotivated profession, 3a) positive assets for quality midwifery care, 3b) women in leadership as a tool for a motivated midwifery workforce and 3c) teamwork.
conclusionsAddressing the gaps between theory and practice, and strengthening the incentives for midwives to remain in their profession are central for improved quality of midwifery care in The Gambia. Guaranteed employment after completing education, equal opportunities for men and women to become midwives and the significance of passion are assets which need to be carefully maintained within the health care system.
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