Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114727

Sarah C. Wilhelm, BA, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 731 Federal Ave. E #10, Seattle, WA 98102, 206-962-1679, scw9@u.washington.edu

The dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa, along with the immense and rapid rise of HIV infection since the end of apartheid, has had a huge and historic impact on South Africa's health care system and workforce. An improved understanding of midwifery as practiced by black Africans before and after apartheid is important as these midwives, and their patients, move into an era of changing health status and services. This qualitative study explores the effects of apartheid and the rise of HIV on the careers of a group of aging midwives employed at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit's Prevention of Maternal to Child Transmission project in Soweto, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 midwives who practiced primarily under apartheid, addressing the following research questions: 1) What were the educational opportunities and experiences for black African midwives under apartheid? 2) How have the end of apartheid and the rise of HIV affected midwifery practice, particularly for black African midwives? 3) What unique skills, perspectives, and knowledge do the participants bring to their current work in PMTCT? Data were coded and analyzed for themes. Results indicate that educational opportunities for black African health professionals have improved since the end of apartheid. The scope of practice for these midwives was broad under apartheid. While the end of apartheid has improved working conditions and opportunities for these midwives, the rise of HIV has led to a decline in the overall health status of the populations they serve.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the effects of apartheid on the practice of midwifery by black South Africans.
• Identify unique perspectives and knowledge that black South African midwives bring to prevention of maternal to child transmission of HIV programs.
• Assess how the legacy of apartheid coupled with the rise of HIV impacts the practice of midwifery by black South Africans.

Keywords: Workforce, International MCH

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.