Early Childhood Caries (ECC), Health Promotion by Midwives, Oral Health in Pregnancy and Early Childhood
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to explore how midwives in Germany perceive their professional role in the context of oral health of pregnant women and young children. A nationwide, anonymous, non-interventional online survey will be conducted to assess self-perceived role, confidence in counseling, perceived barriers, information sources, and training needs. The study is designed as an exploratory cross-sectional survey without hypothesis testing.
Detailed description
Midwives play an important role in early health promotion, including during pregnancy and early childhood. Oral health is a relevant but often underrepresented topic in this context. This study aims to explore midwives' perspectives on their role in oral health promotion, including their perceived responsibilities, confidence in counseling, and structural conditions in their professional practice. Data will be collected using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via professional organizations and networks.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University Medical Center Goettingen
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
* Practicing midwives in Germany * Age ≥ 18 years * Consent to participate in the online survey
Exclusion criteria
* Age \< 18 years * Not currently working as a midwife * Students without completed professional qualification * No informed consent provided
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-perceived professional role in oral health assessed by a self-developed questionnaire using Likert-scale items (1-5) | Day 1 | Self-perceived professional role will be assessed using multiple items developed for this study, rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a stronger perceived role in oral health. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Use of information sources related to oral health (self-reported questionnaire) | Day 1 | Participants report their use of different information sources (e.g., training, literature, internet, professional exchange) using categorical response options. Frequencies of use will be analyzed descriptively. |
| Perceived barriers to addressing oral health in practice assessed by Likert-scale items (1-5) | Day 1 | Perceived barriers will be assessed using self-developed Likert-scale items (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater perceived barriers. |
| Training needs and interests in oral health (self-reported questionnaire) | Day 1 | Training needs and interests will be assessed using categorical and Likert-scale items. Responses reflect interest in further education and preferred topics. |
| Self-reported confidence in oral health-related topics assessed by Likert-scale items (1-5) | Day 1 | Confidence in oral health-related topics will be assessed using self-developed items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very unsure to 5 = very confident). Higher scores indicate greater perceived confidence. |
Contacts
CONTACTJana Biermann, Dr. med. dent.
Outcome results
None listed