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.