Basic Microbiology and Infection Control for Midwives

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, every year there are about 139 million births worldwide, and the WHO estimates that about 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications every day. Of these, 99% occur in developing countries. Infections are one of the major complications that account for these maternal deaths. The access to quality healthcare before, during, and after childbirth is a key to save the lives of women and their newborn babies. Midwives are frontline providers of care for pregnant women. They are in a powerful position to significantly contribute and increase the health of future mothers and their babies among other things by reducing the burden of infectious diseases. The principles of infection prevention and control are essential for all healthcare settings. Understanding the fundamental processes behind infection transmission is the basis for setting appropriate actions which are intended to protect the health of patients as well as healthcare workers. This book focuses on “hygiene and microbiology for midwives” in high- and middle-income countries and is meant to enhance the knowledge and role of midwives regarding infections and infectious diseases, their transmission routes, and finally their prevention and control. A chapter dedicated to midwifery in low-income countries will briefly summarize relevant international literature and WHO documents.