Midwives' knowledge of haemoglobinopathies

This paper addresses the educational implications of a study of midwives and senior student midwives knowledge of haemoglobinopathies. Knowledge was assessed from 850 multiple choice questionnaires.

Respondents who had received training on the haemoglobinopathies scored significantly higher, especially on the genetics questions. Training from a haemoglobinopathies counsellor appeared most effective in raising knowledge levels in clinically relevant areas. Many midwives, however, had received no relevant education or found what they had received to be inadequate.

Higher levels of haemoglobinopathy awareness were found in midwives who had received a theoretical education relatively recently and had this reinforced by clinical practice. In order to provide women centred care for all ethnic groups education around haemoglobinopathies needs to be prioritised especially for qualified midwives. This need must be addressed in ways most appropriate for the midwives concerned and using the specialist knowledge of those whose teaching is most effective.