Midwives' preparedness for climate change impacts on maternal and child health: A scoping review

Background

Midwives are frontline healthcare providers for pregnant women, yet gaps in their knowledge and training on extreme heat and air pollution limit their ability to provide effective care during these climate-related challenges.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to explore midwives' knowledge, adaptation, and preparedness for caring for pregnant women during climate change-related events, with a focus on extreme heat and air pollution.

Method

A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. A total of 272 articles were retrieved from multiple databases, of which five studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies comprised qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, case study, and review designs.

Findings

The review revealed two key areas. First, midwives demonstrated varying levels of knowledge and preparedness regarding climate change-related events, particularly extreme heat and air pollution, with implications for maternal and child health. Second, barriers and enablers were identified: limited training, weak institutional support, and inadequate policies hindered practice, whereas professional development initiatives and supportive leadership acted as enablers.

Conclusion

The findings highlight an urgent need to integrate education on such climate change-related events into midwifery training. Strengthening midwives' knowledge and preparedness is essential to empower them in safeguarding maternal and child health amidst growing climate-related challenges.