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Background:

Maternal mortality and health consequences from unsafe abortion and/or incomplete abortion resulting from unintended pregnancy are significantly high in Bangladesh. Induced abortion is restricted by law in Bangladesh, but menstrual regulation is allowed to establish non-pregnancy. Midwives are a relatively new profession in Bangladesh and midwives have not been available to provide menstrual regulation and family planning services.

Aim:

To explore the perceptions and attitudes in relation to menstrual regulation and family planning among future midwives in Bangladesh.

Methods:

The study had a qualitative approach and was conducted at 9 selected Nursing Institutes and Nursing colleges throughout Bangladesh. The study population was midwifery students in their final year (n=10).Individual interviews were conducted to collect data, based on an interview guide with open-ended questions, and content analysis was performed.

Results

: The study findings illuminated the future midwives perceptions regarding reasons for, and consequences of, unintended pregnancy, barriers to quality care and how to improve the quality care. The future midwives perceived family planning and menstrual regulation should be a part of the midwives’ working areas and were willing to take on these tasks. They perceived they had sufficient theory knowledge in the field but that there is lack of clinical practice sessions.

Conclusions and implications for practice:

The study highlights several reasons for unintended pregnancy and its harmful consequences. There are multiple barriers to quality of care that should be reduced to improve the quality care and it is urgent to increase scope of clinical practice on family planning and menstrual regulation for future midwives. The intention is that the future midwives should be a competent workforce in the midwifery services. Therefore, they need to have confidence skills, practical skills and competence.