Knowledge and reported confidence of final year midwifery students regarding giving advice on contraception and sexual health

摘要

Objective: This study explored the views of three cohorts of final year midwifery students,udregarding their confidence in giving advice to women on contraception and sexual health in theudpostnatal period. The project also investigated knowledge of contraception using a factual quiz, basedudon clinical scenarios regarding contraception and sexual health in the post-partum period.udDesign: A mixed method design using qualitative data from focus groups, and mixed qualitative andudquantitative data from a paper based questionnaire was used.udSetting: The project was carried out in one higher educational institution in England.udFindings: Findings demonstrate that expressed confidence varies according to contraceptive method,udwith most confidence being reported when advising on the male condom. The findings of the factualudquiz indicate that students applied theoretical knowledge poorly in a practically oriented context.udThese findings also indicated that most students limited advice to general advice.udKey Conclusions: The paper concludes that midwifery students need more practically orientedudeducation in contraception and sexual health, and that the role of mentors is very important in helpingudstudents feel confident when giving advice in this area.