"The Antenatal Education Needs of Maori Women (in the Tainui Region) and Implications for Midwifery Practice."

Abstract

"Health statistics for Maori women and neonates in Aotearoa are comparable with third world countries" (Pomare, 1988). As minimal appropriate research has been conducted to address the multiple issues confronting Maori women and their babies, this research offers a new source of information that may be used to improve our understanding of better health outcomes for Maori mothers and their newborn babies and provide more effective antenatal education. The purpose of this study was to develop understanding and insight into what Maori women perceived as needs regarding antenatal education and the identification of what midwives are currently offering. The project involved consultation with the community, in the Tainui Region, in order to explore possibilities for future antenatal education. The research design was descriptive and participatory, and included both qualitative (or text-based) descriptives from individual and focus group interviews and quantitative (or numerical research) which was derived from a process of Q-sorting. Both these approaches were adopted after consideration of their appropriateness, as methods to use when researching Maori. The study sample included six independent and self-employed midwife practitioners, who practice in the Tainui region, and forty-two Maori women who attended the Waahi marae clinic. The study revealed that despite some commonalities, there were a number of discrepancies between current practice of midwives regarding antenatal education and the beliefs of the Maori women. Interestingly both midwives and Maori women acknowledged their awareness and concerns in relation to these differences. It is postulated by the researcher that the study also reveals some of the effects which colonisation has had on the birthing process for Maori women. In relation to Maori methodology the participants commented favourably on the process adopted. This study will be helpful to antenatal educators, midwives, Maori women and the Maori community, policy makers, health professionals, educators of midwives and researchers of Maori.