A study exploring midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

to explore midwives' education in, knowledge of and attitudes to nutrition in pregnancy.

DESIGN

survey using questionnaire and interview schedule.

PARTICIPANTS

a randomly selected sample of 77 Registered Midwives.

SETTING

one English regional health authority.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Midwife teachers were responsible for 95% of teaching in nutrition. 86% of midwives had received no education in nutrition following qualification. 46% of midwives achieved a poor score in nutrition knowledge. Considerable numbers of midwives felt unprepared to offer dietary advice to women from ethnic minority groups (36%), vegetarians (66%) and to women with pre-existing medical conditions (41%).

KEY CONCLUSION

midwives require more education in nutrition both during basic education and following qualification. IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION PRACTICE: nutritional issues should be included in continuing education programmes available to qualified midwives.