The role of midwives facing barriers to health care access in the XI Health Region of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Argentina, the legal framework of professional midwifery is under discussion. The current legislation in Buenos Aires (BA) province includes competences for the comprehensive care of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) processes. The starting assumption is that this improves health service quality and has a positive impact on health care processes and results. The objective of the study was to describe professional midwives’ work in the XI Health Region of BA province and to analyze their contribution to the quality of care for women and their families in SRH services. METHODS: An ethnographic research was performed in the public subsector of the BA XI Health Region with non-probability snowball sampling and data collected through participatory observation and in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Midwives accomplish a model of care that prioritizes a comprehensive approach to SRH processes. This model includes preventive and curative aspects to respond to clinical and sociocultural factors as well. DISCUSSION: The role of midwives is in-between clinical skills and comprehensive care competences. Both of them together, expressed in initiatives and actions, improve health care quality.