African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 78–86

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000141

Original Research Article

Title: Perceptions of Pregnant Women Regarding Respectful Maternity Care in Low-Resource Urban Clinics

Names of Authors: Sarah L. Tetteh¹, Mariama S. Diallo²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
²Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea

Abstract:
Obstetric disrespect and clinical abuse during facility childbirth represent major human rights violations that deter vulnerable women from utilizing professional maternal healthcare spaces. This mixed-methods study explored the perceptions, structural violations, and satisfaction levels regarding respectful maternity care (RMC) among pregnant and postpartum women in urban public clinics. Quantitative exit interviews were conducted with 240 postpartum women, while qualitative depth was gathered via six focus group discussions. The quantitative feedback revealed that 45.8% of the mothers experienced at least one distinct form of disrespect or clinical abuse during labor. Verbal abuse (32.5%), non-consensual procedures (26.7%), and a profound lack of physical privacy during vaginal examinations (61.3%) were the most prevalent manifestations. Qualitative narratives highlighted themes of systemic vulnerability, where overworked midwives were perceived as aggressive or detached due to high delivery volumes. Positive satisfaction scores were tightly bound to the allowance of a supportive birth companion during early labor. The study indicates that obstetric disrespect remains highly prevalent in underfunded settings. Reforming care models requires mandatory midwives' human rights training, clinic renovations to secure patient privacy, and clear administrative accountability channels.

Keywords: Respectful Maternity Care; Obstetric Abuse; Urban Health Clinics; Patient Satisfaction; Midwifery Ethics; Midwife-Patient Communication.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 28, 2026; Revised July 10, 2026; Accepted July 27, 2026; Published August 20, 2026.

Citation: Tetteh, S. L., & Diallo, M. S. (2026). Perceptions of Pregnant Women Regarding Respectful Maternity Care in Low-Resource Urban Clinics. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 78–86.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 69–77

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000140

Original Research Article

Title: Adherence to Infection Prevention Measures Among Neonatal Nurses in Urban Public Hospitals

Names of Authors: Grace M. Mwangi¹, Ruth N. Kamau²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
²School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:
Healthcare-associated infections inside neonatal intensive care units contribute significantly to newborn morbidity, requiring impeccable clinical hygiene behaviors. This structured observational study evaluated compliance rates and barriers regarding standard infection prevention and control (IPC) measures among neonatal nurses. A sample of 115 practicing neonatal nurses was monitored across three urban public hospitals utilizing a timed, non-participatory observation methodology over a 2-month timeframe. The observations revealed that overall hand hygiene compliance before initiating infant contact was low at 41.7%, whereas post-contact compliance reached 84.3% (p < 0.01). Correct execution of aseptic fields during peripheral intravenous line insertions was achieved in only 36.5% of monitored procedures. Major barriers to compliance reported by participants included severe nurse understaffing (88.7%), sporadic shortages of medical-grade hand rubs or clean running water (62.6%), and high patient turnover. Multivariable models showed that nurses who received routine feedback via clinical safety audits were 2.6 times more likely to preserve correct hygiene behaviors (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.34–4.98, p = 0.004). The findings indicate that clinical compliance is heavily undermined by poor infrastructure and high workloads. Elevating neonatal safety metrics requires sustainable structural resource tracking, clinical audits, and corrected staffing limits.

Keywords: Infection Prevention; Neonatal Nursing; Hand Hygiene; Clinical Compliance; Healthcare Infections; Patient Safety.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 25, 2026; Revised July 08, 2026; Accepted July 24, 2026; Published August 17, 2026.

Citation: Mwangi, G. M., & Kamau, R. N. (2026). Adherence to Infection Prevention Measures Among Neonatal Nurses in Urban Public Hospitals. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 69–77.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 60–68

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000139

Original Research Article

Title: Predictors of Professional Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses During Systemic Workforce Shortages

Names of Authors: Zanele T. Ndlovu¹, Kofi A. Mensah²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
²School of Nursing, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana

Abstract:
Severe nursing deficits across intensive care units have dramatically escalated occupational stress, undermining patient safety margins and worker retention. This multi-site quantitative study investigated the institutional, structural, and personal predictors of professional burnout among specialized critical care nurses. A total of 155 full-time intensive care nurses across four tertiary referral centers completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) alongside the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Multiple linear regression analyses were executed to isolate standalone indicators. The baseline analysis revealed that 56.8% of the cohort met the clinical criteria for severe emotional exhaustion. The regression models demonstrated that working single shifts longer than 12 hours (beta = 0.44, p < 0.001), managing nurse-to-patient ratios exceeding 1:3 (beta = 0.36, p = 0.002), and perceived low administrative support (beta = -0.28, p = 0.005) were powerful predictors of severe burnout indices. Personal demographic variables including age, marital status, and years of experience did not moderate the burnout severity. The study underscores that critical care burnout is primarily driven by toxic workspace metrics and extreme patient care demands rather than personal vulnerabilities. Hospital management must prioritize mandatory staffing maximums, structured shift breaks, and accessible mental health support programs to retain fragile critical care human resources.

Keywords: Critical Care Nursing; Professional Burnout; Workforce Shortages; Emotional Exhaustion; Patient Safety; Health Administration.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 20, 2026; Revised July 05, 2026; Accepted July 21, 2026; Published August 14, 2026.

Citation: Ndlovu, Z. T., & Mensah, K. A. (2026). Predictors of Professional Burnout Among Critical Care Nurses During Systemic Workforce Shortages. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 60–68.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 50–59

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000138

Original Research Article

Title: Evaluation of Midwifery Competence in Managing Severe Preeclampsia in Rural Primary Health Centers

Names of Authors: Oluwaseun A. Adebayo¹, Comfort N. Okafor²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
²School of Midwifery, University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract:
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain a primary contributor to avoidable maternal mortality across rural clinical settings. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated clinical knowledge and active management competencies for severe preeclampsia among midwives practicing within rural primary health centers. A sample of 140 registered midwives completed a pre-validated clinical scenario survey, complemented by objective checklist audits during simulated emergencies. Data analysis relied on descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models. The results showed that while 82.1% of the midwives correctly identified magnesium sulfate as the first-line anticonvulsant, only 38.6% demonstrated appropriate execution of the intramuscular loading dose regimen under simulation criteria. Critical errors were linked to missing clinical indicators for toxicity monitoring, such as patellar reflex checks and hourly urine output assessments. Systemic supply barriers were common, with 64.3% of clinics experiencing magnesium sulfate stockouts within the past quarter. Midwives with specific emergency obstetric training inside the last 12 months were significantly more likely to achieve optimal competence ratings (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.64–5.94, p = 0.002). The study concludes that dangerous implementation gaps persist due to poor access to emergency updates and essential drug supplies. Mitigating rural maternal mortality requires regular simulation-based training alongside reliable obstetric pharmaceutical logistics.

Keywords: Severe Preeclampsia; Midwifery Competence; Magnesium Sulfate; Rural Health; Maternal Mortality; Simulation Training.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 14, 2026; Revised July 03, 2026; Accepted July 18, 2026; Published August 12, 2026.

Citation: Adebayo, O. A., & Okafor, C. N. (2026). Evaluation of Midwifery Competence in Managing Severe Preeclampsia in Rural Primary Health Centers. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 50–59. 

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 50–59

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000138

Original Research Article

Title: Knowledge and Attitude of Primary Health Care Nurses Toward Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Integration

Names of Authors: Tewodros W. Assefa¹, Mulugeta G. Abebe²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; ²School of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

Abstract:
Diabetic retinopathy is a major, preventable cause of blindness that can be efficiently managed via early detection at the primary care tier. This study investigated the baseline clinical knowledge and professional attitudes of primary health care (PHC) nurses regarding the integration of routine diabetic retinopathy screening into daily workflows. A descriptive cross-sectional study was executed across 18 regional primary health centers. A sample of 215 practicing PHC nurses completed a pre-validated, self-administered survey instrument. Associations between nurse variables and knowledge scores were computed via independent sample t-tests and ANOVA models. Analysis showed that only 34.9% of the respondents possessed an adequate level of knowledge regarding retinopathy risk factors and early warning features. Conversely, a broad majority (86.5%) exhibited a positive attitude toward undergoing specialized training to perform basic visual acuity checks and fundus photography. Nurses with more than 5 years of clinical practice demonstrated significantly better baseline knowledge scores compared to novice professionals (p = 0.012). While primary care nurses display enthusiasm toward expanding their roles in vision preservation, severe knowledge deficits persist. Formalized continuing nursing education modules focusing on diabetic eye care must be integrated to facilitate comprehensive screening models.

Keywords: Primary Care Nursing; Diabetic Retinopathy; Vision Screening; Knowledge; Attitude; Chronic Disease Management.

Manuscript Timeline: Received May 14, 2026; Revised July 03, 2026; Accepted July 22, 2026; Published August 14, 2026.

Citation: Assefa, W. T., & Abebe, G. M. (2026). Knowledge and Attitude of Primary Health Care Nurses Toward Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Integration. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(8), 50–59.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 7, July 2026 | pp. 42–49

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000137

Original Research Article

Title: Assessment of Respectful Maternity Care Practices and Associated Factors During Labor and Delivery

Names of Authors: Mariama S. Diallo¹, Fatou B. Cisse²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Guinea; ²Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal

Abstract:
Disrespect and abuse during institutional childbirth violate basic human rights and deter women from utilizing facility-based maternal healthcare services. This study assessed the prevalence, manifestations, and predictors of respectful maternity care (RMC) practices among midwives during labor and delivery. A facility-based cross-sectional study was implemented, involving a randomly selected cohort of 310 postpartum women within 48 hours of delivery at five public maternity clinics. Data collection leveraged structured questionnaires modeled after the USAID Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program tool. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with the preservation of RMC. Strikingly, 43.2% of mothers experienced at least one form of disrespect or abuse, with non-consensual care (28.4%) and loss of privacy (22.6%) emerging as the most frequent breaches. Women who delivered during night shifts were 2.4 times more likely to experience disrespectful care compared to day shifts (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.34 - 4.12, p = 0.003). High provider caseloads significantly reduced RMC delivery scores. Institutional disrespect during childbirth remains unacceptably common. Remedying these deficits demands mandatory midwife-led training on human rights in childbirth, structural facility modifications to secure physical privacy, and strict administrative accountability mechanisms.

Keywords: Respectful Maternity Care; Obstetric Violence; Midwifery Care; Institutional Delivery; Quality of Care; Patient Rights.

Manuscript Timeline: Received April 05, 2026; Revised June 01, 2026; Accepted June 18, 2026; Published July 20, 2026.

Citation: Diallo, M. S., & Cisse, F. B. (2026). Assessment of Respectful Maternity Care Practices and Associated Factors During Labor and Delivery. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(7), 42–49.