Abstract

Maternal and neonatal mortality has remained a public health challenge in developing countries, particularly in Zambia despite the efforts to improve access and use of maternal health care services universally. Majority of these maternal deaths could be prevented by ensuring access to good-quality maternal health services, such as antenatal and postnatal care, and skilled attendance during child birth, including emergency obstetric care. This study explored the perspectives of midwives on factors influencing maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Zambia. A qualitative approach was utilized for this study to identify the experiences as described by the participants. This study was carried out in Lusaka urban and Mumbwa rural districts. Focus groups discussions were utilized to collect data. The challenges in the provision of care was understaffing and lack of infrastructure, fear of HIV test, attitude of the midwives, trusting herbal medicines, poverty, congestion at the hospitals and distance to health care facilities were mentioned as underlining causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Equipping midwives with supplies and required equipment in antenatal and postnatal areas may help alleviate the challenges midwives face in the delivery of care

Key words: Midwifery, midwives, midwives perspectives, maternal morbidity, mortality.