Women's Opinions on Labor Experience by National Versus Expatriate Nurses in Riyadh Hospitals
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- Category: Vol. 80, June 2012
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Women's Opinions on Labor Experience by National Versus Expatriate Nurses in Riyadh Hospitals,SALMA MOAWED, SAHAR M. YAKOUT and NAZEK M. ZAKARY
Abstract
Introduction: In the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) 73% percent of the nursing workforce are expatriates who have diverse educational and experience backgrounds. The remain-ing 27% of this workforce are Saudi nurses. To date, health care to the citizens of Saudi Arabia has been provided largely by a foreign labor force, the vast majority of whom are non-Arabic speaking. So the difference in culture background among health care provider and receivers of care may have a serious influence on the total functioning of the entire health team.
Aim: This study explores the client’s (parturient) point of view and preference of the midwives nationality.
Methods: The study was conducted at three main hospital in Riyadh City, El Yammama, King Saud Medical Complex and Prince Salman Hospitals. The study sample comprised 300 parturient women. Data collecting lasted for about four months from May 2011-November 2011. It was collected by using interview questionnaire sheet.
Results: The mean age of the parturient who had chosen the Saudi midwife was very close to that of those who had chosen the expatriate one. Among those who had chosen the Saudi midwife were almost three times that of those with the same educational level in the other group, nearly all of both group were housewives. About one fourth of those who had been delivered by a Saudi midwife went through an abnormal labour. Almost all of women did prefer Saudi nationals because she respects their modesty, understands culture conations, easily communicates and she is concerned to provide best care to her fellow nationals. Reasons of choice of expatriate midwives were because of her unique ability to handle sophis-ticated medical equipment, or her vast experience, or her ever smiling face. The national Saud midwives were criticized by the clients, almost half of them claimed that she might be less active and self centered or lack autonomy or does not respect work schedule.
Conclusion: It is so obvious in the study that the Saudi national midwives preferred because of her religious as well as culture affiliation to the parturient. Therefore, the utilization of their services should be encouraged, their practice should be upgraded through in-service education and refresher courses.