En Belgique, en 2008, état des lieux des connaissances et compétences des sages-femmes concernant la prise en charge des femmes enceintes fumeuses

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge and skills of Belgian midwives about the care of pregnant smokers and to find out whether they take care of them themselves or whether they refer them to another health professional. The main interest of the study is to valorise the skills and roles of midwives in this area. The population targeted by the study, volunteer graduate Belgian midwives included 140 midwives from two hospitals as well as private practice midwives. Each midwife received a written questionnaire consisting of closed questions and multiple choice questions as well as an open question. A total of 70 midwives answered (34 hospital and 36 private practice) that is a response rate of 50%. The analysis determined that most of the midwives only had partial or not very exact knowledge, or were not able to help pregnant women stop smoking. However, most of the midwives were aware of the extent of the problem and the importance of helping pregnant smokers. Most of the midwives consider that their basic training in the care of nicotinism in the pregnant woman is not very pertinent. This survey reveals a lack of awareness and training of midwives in the recommendations for good practices.