Oral Health Knowledge, Practices, and Awareness of Oral Health Guidelines and Dental Coverage Policies among Midwives.

Good oral health during the prenatal period translates into better oral and overall health for women and their infants. Although the importance of oral health during pregnancy is well established, oral health assessments are not routinely included in prenatal care visits. The purpose of this study was to explore prenatal care providers' practices regarding oral health assessments and identify reasons for the gap in oral health integration in prenatal care. Data were gathered from midwives in Virginia, United States. Information on midwives' knowledge about oral health, education, practices, and awareness of oral health guidelines and the pregnancy-related Medicaid dental benefit policy in Virginia was collected. An online survey was distributed to midwives practicing in Virginia through their state-level professional organization. The data were collected online, and descriptive data analyses were conducted. A total of 30 midwives (mean age 51.9 years) participated in the survey for an overall response rate of 13.6%. Among survey participants, knowledge of oral health was high (score of 4.69 out of 5). Nearly 20% of participants reported receiving no education about oral health during professional training, and 72.4% reported no receipt of continuing education about oral health in the past year. Although 86% of the participants reported discussing oral health in clinical practice, only 10.3% reported conducting oral health assessments. Awareness of Virginia's Medicaid dental benefit policy was high (75.9%), but less than half of the participants were aware of oral health guidelines (44.1%). Although many midwives did not conduct oral health assessments, 79.3% reported that they provided oral health referrals to pregnant patients. Enhancing and integrating education about oral health in the academic curriculum for midwives and providing them with opportunities for continuing education about oral health can improve their engagement with oral health. Sharing of evidence-based guidelines through organizational newsletters, meetings, and other venues can be ways to increase awareness of new guidelines and health coverage benefits among midwives.

Naavaal S ，Claiborne DM 《-》

Midwives' perspectives of their ability to promote the oral health of pregnant women in Victoria, Australia.

Heilbrunn-Lang AY ，de Silva AM ，Lang G ，George A ，Ridge A ，Johnson M ，Bhole S ，Gilmour C ... -  《BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth》

Australian midwives and provision of nutrition education during pregnancy: A cross sectional survey of nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and confidence.

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy affects the health of the mother and the baby. Midwives are ideally placed to provide nutrition education to pregnant women. There is limited published research evidence of Australian midwives' nutrition knowledge, attitudes and confidence. To investigate Australian midwives' nutrition knowledge, attitudes and confidence in providing nutrition education during pregnancy. Members of the Australian College of Midwives (n=4770) were sent an invitation email to participate in a web-based survey, followed by two reminders. The completion rate was 6.9% (329 of 4770). The majority (86.6% and 75.7%, respectively) highly rated the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and the significance of their role in nutrition education. Midwives' nutrition knowledge was inadequate in several areas such as weight gain, dairy serves and iodine requirements (73.3%, 73.2% and 79.9% incorrect responses, respectively). The level of confidence in discussing general and specific nutrition issues ranged mostly from moderate to low. The majority of the midwives (93%) provided nutrition advice to pregnant women. This advice was mostly described as 'general' and focused on general nutrition topics. Only half of the midwives reported receiving nutrition education during midwifery education (51.1%) or after registration (54.1%). Australian midwives' attitudes towards nutrition during pregnancy and their role in educating pregnant women about it were positive but their knowledge and confidence did not align with these attitudes. This could be due to minimal nutrition education during midwifery education or during practice. Continued education to improve midwives' nutrition knowledge and confidence is essential.

Arrish J ，Yeatman H ，Williamson M 《-》

Certified Nurse-Midwives' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors About Infant Safe Sleep.

Little is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of certified nurse-midwives related to sudden infant death syndrome and infant safe sleep. However, this population is an important and trusted source of information for pregnant women and may provide guidance on infant care. We explored these topics with certified nurse-midwives to identify potential barriers as well as enabling and reinforcing factors associated with providing infant safe sleep education in the prenatal health care environment. Participants in this cross-sectional survey study were certified nurse-midwives who provide prenatal health care to women in Ohio. Surveys were mailed to all certified nurse-midwives listed with the licensing registry of the Ohio Board of Nursing (N = 333). A total of 153 eligible respondents completed the survey for a response rate of 55%. Most participants had at least some knowledge of the infant safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and two-thirds had positive attitudes about providing infant safe sleep education in the prenatal environment. Many participants (61%) perceived that there were barriers to providing prenatal infant safe sleep education, but nearly all (94%) indicated that they were interested in providing this education to their patients. Positive attitudes about providing infant safe sleep education were predictive of whether they discussed this topic with their patients. Certified nurse-midwives routinely provide guidance on infant care, and it is important that they are familiar with current evidence-based recommendations on infant safe sleep. They should be supported in their desire to provide infant safe sleep education to their prenatal patients. In addition, efforts should be made to improve attitudes and social norms related to providing infant safe sleep education in the prenatal environment.

Hodges NL ，Anderson SE ，McKenzie LB ，Katz ML ... -  《-》

Views of pregnant women in South Western Sydney towards dental care and an oral-health program initiated by midwives.

George A ，Johnson M ，Blinkhorn A ，Ajwani S ，Ellis S ，Bhole S ... -  《Health Promotion Journal of Australia》