Evaluating the Integration of Humanized Birth Care Practices Among Secondary Hospital Midwives

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 253–261

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000160

Original Research Article

Title: Evaluating the Integration of Humanized Birth Care Practices Among Secondary Hospital Midwives

Names of Authors: Mariama S. Diallo¹, Grace M. Mwangi²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Guinea
²Department of Nursing, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:
Humanized birth paradigms prioritize maternal autonomy, non-supine positioning choices, and restriction of routine episiotomies, offering a direct mechanism to eliminate clinical disrespect. This study evaluated the practical implementation levels and professional barriers regarding humanized care guidelines during labor monitoring among secondary facility midwives. A multi-center cross-sectional design utilized independent clinical observation checklists across 150 delivery events and surveyed 85 practicing midwives. The results showed that standard humanized parameters were systematically executed in only 34.7% of monitored deliveries. Routine, non-consensual lithotomy positioning remained pervasively enforced (78.0%), and the use of unindicated episiotomies for primiparous clients reached 41.3%. Midwives cited acute staff shortfalls (86.4%), unsupportive spatial arrangements in local labor rooms (72.0%), and deep-seated institutional inertia as primary barriers to humanizing delivery care models. Logistic regression models verified that midwives who completed specialized workshops within the prior year achieved significantly higher respectful care index marks (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.34–4.32, p = 0.003). Shifting modern labor practices requires remodeling hospital delivery beds, correcting severe midwifery understaffing, and deploying mandatory clinical humanization updates.

Keywords: Humanized Birth Care; Midwifery Practices; Maternal Autonomy; Episiotomy Restrictions; Delivery Positioning; Respectful Care.

Manuscript Timeline: Received July 28, 2026; Revised September 09, 2026; Accepted September 22, 2026; Published September 30, 2026.

Citation: Diallo, M. S., & Mwangi, G. M. (2026). Evaluating the Integration of Humanized Birth Care Practices Among Secondary Hospital Midwives. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 253–261. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000160

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