Exploring maternal and child healthcare projects in South African communities through Ubuntu lens: an appreciative inquiry.

Background: Ubuntu, a Nguni Bantu term meaning "humanity towards other", embodies a philosophy of collectivism, interconnectedness and mutual respect, which is deeply ingrained in South African culture. Ubuntu led community-based collaborative projects enhance community engagement of several stakeholders to ensure improved health outcomes for the mothers and children in the region. Similarly, collaborations between universities are required to co-create evidence-based interventions with healthcare systems and communities to achieve healthcare objectives.

Childbirth Preparation: Knowledge of the Use of Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief Methods during Childbirth in Tshwane District, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Effective management of labour pain is an essential aspect of care provided to women during childbirth. The aim of this study was to assess pregnant women's knowledge of using non-pharmacological pain relief methods during childbirth. Methods: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at four hospitals in the Tshwane District of South Africa.

An Inclusive Framework for Collaboration between Midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants and Optimising Maternal and Child Healthcare in Restricted Rural Communities in South Africa: Policy Considerations.

Unlabelled: Collaboration between midwives and traditional birth attendants for maternal and child healthcare is a challenge in rural South African communities due to the absence of a guiding framework. To address this, this study sought to develop and validate an inclusive framework informed by the Donabedian structure-process-outcome (SPO) framework for collaboration between these healthcare professionals.

Method: Key stakeholders were invited to participate in a co-creation workshop to develop the framework.

Knowledge and attitudes of midwives towards collaboration with traditional birth attendants for maternal and neonatal healthcare services in rural communities in South Africa.

Objectives: We assessed the knowledge and attitude of registered midwives towards collaborating with traditional birth attendants for maternal and neonatal healthcare services in rural communities.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was followed in this study.

Participants: Registered midwives in selected clinics in the City of Tshwane Municipality.

Traditional health practitioners' training needs on biomedical knowledge and skills in a South African township.

Background: Traditional health practitioners (THPs) play an important role in communities by providing necessary health services for a variety of health problems. Possessing complementary biomedical knowledge and skills is vital in saving lives of patients. However, less is known about biomedical knowledge and skills among THPs.

The training of midwives to perform obstetric ultrasound scan in Africa for task shifting and extension of scope of practice: a scoping review.

Introduction: Ultrasound scan is one of the essential assessments that is crucial in the early identification of health risks during antenatal care. Its accessibility to women in low-and middle-income countries remains a serious challenge because ultrasound scans are not within the scope of practice for midwives. However, task shifting and extension of scope of practice aim to train midwives to assess pregnant women through an ultrasound scan.

Strategies to enhance sexual health education for prevention of teenage pregnancy in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province: different stakeholder's perspectives, a co-operative Inquiry qualitative protocol paper.

Background: South Africa is reporting higher rates of adolescent pregnancy as compared to other countries. There are different types of interventions that are in place to address teenage pregnancy. However, these interventions were developed using top-down strategy without the inclusion of different stakeholders and adolescents which makes it hard to implement those interventions particularly in countries like South Africa.

Recognise and Acknowledge Us: Views of Traditional Birth Attendants on Collaboration with Midwives for Maternal Health Care Services.

Background: Traditional birth attendants have since ancient time provided care to pregnant women. As such, the collaboration between midwives and traditional birth attendant (TBAs) can be an essential effort towards the reduction of the maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rate especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper argues that the collaboration between traditional and formal health systems expands the reach and improves outcomes of community health care.

Culturally appropriate care to support maternal positions during the second stage of labour: Midwives' perspectives in South Africa.

Background:  'Doing what the Romans do in Rome' was an expression raised by one of the midwives following workplace culture and disregarding women's birth choices. Midwifery practice in South Africa caters for a culturally diverse ethnic groups of childbearing women. Culturally appropriate care highlights the importance of including women in decision-making concerning their birth preferences including maternal positions during labour.

Factors hindering midwives' utilisation of alternative birth positions during labour in a selected public hospital.

Background: An evidence-based practice suggests that the birth position adopted by women during labour has a significant impact on the maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The birth positions are endorsed by guidelines of maternity care in South Africa, which documented that women in labour should be allowed to select the birth position of their choice, preferably alternative birth positions (including upright, kneeling, squatting and lateral positions) during labour. Thus, the lithotomy birth position should be avoided.