A multi-level exploration of factors influencing pre-eclampsia and eclampsia management by midwives in a Ghanaian teaching hospital

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with multi-organ effects resulting in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In Ghana, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are a leading cause of maternal deaths in tertiary health facilities where many women with this condition are referred to for care. Midwives are core primary providers of maternal health services in many low-and middle-income countries including Ghana. Therefore, midwives need a skill set that enables them to recognize clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia and apply evidenced-based management to avert further complications and maternal deaths. Pre-eclampsia management by midwives is under researched and findings from a scoping review conducted as part of this Ph.D. study showed that midwives have knowledge deficits on several aspects of pre-eclampsia management. This study aims to obtain a contemporary overview of the multi-level factors influencing midwives’ management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital. The study will utilize a qualitatively driven mixed-method design within a pragmatist approach. The knowledge gained from identifying specific factors influencing pre-eclampsia and eclampsia management will be valuable in improving policies and programmes related to maternal health in Ghana and other low- and middle- income countries.