Evaluation of a twinning project between midwife associations in Sweden and Ghana

Abstract

Background: Globally, maternal and newborn health is a priority and progress has been made through the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in developing countries millions of women and newborn still have inadequate access to antenatal care, safe abortions and to be able to give birth in a health facility. The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) focuses on strengthening the midwives, women and their families globally. Qualified midwives can do a majority of the healthcare within sexual and reproductive health. Twinning projects can be beneficial when working towards improving the lives of women and their families worldwide. Aim: To evaluate a twinning project between the Swedish Association of Midwives and Ghana Registered Midwives Association. Method: Two focus group discussions and four individual interviews with nine midwives from the Swedish Midwives’ Association (SBF) and Ghana Registered Midwife Association (GRMA) were held. The interviews were guided by the implementation process and analysed according to process evaluation with a deductive approach. Results: The twinning project between the midwife associations resulted in developing and strengthening the midwives and associations. Due to the pandemic all planned activities became digital. GRMA increased their presence on social media and visited other regions which made the association more visible. The increased visibility resulted in higher membership numbers and gained bargaining power to advocate at a higher policy level. The midwives benefitted from each other by exchanging knowledge and by supporting each other. Conclusion: We concluded that both SBF and GRMA had a positive experience of the twinning project even though the project was not delivered as intended. GRMA became a stronger association with a higher national and international presence. The findings could be beneficial for other organisations when implementing twinning projects in the future.