Perception of caring behavior and associated factors among nurses and midwives working in public hospitals in Southern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the perception of caring behaviors and associated factors among nurses and midwives who provided maternal health care services at Sidama region public hospitals, Hawassa, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 269 nurses and midwives working in maternity wards in Sidama region public hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with nurses’ and midwives’ perceptions of caring behaviors. RESULTS: Totally 261 nurses and midwives participated the survey. Based on the mean score, participants’ perception of caring behavior was classified as higher and lower. According to this study, 75.1% (196/261) of nurses and midwives demonstrated a higher perception of caring behavior. Respondents’ age, professional satisfaction, personal satisfaction, midwife/nurse-doctor relationship and workload were significantly associated with their perception of caring behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing the nurses’ and midwives’ perception of caring behavior and related factors is crucial for providing high-quality nursing and midwifery interventions. It is suggested to create a positive and conducive caring behavior in the organization by reducing excessive workload of nurses and midwives, as well as enhancing nurse/midwife-doctor relationship, and increasing their job satisfaction by providing recognition and reward will improve nurses’ and midwives’ caring behavior.