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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Exploring the experiences of midwives in rural and remote regions in South Asia: a scoping review
Rural and Remote Health, Vol.26(1), pp.1-14
2026
Abstract
Introduction: South Asia continues to face significant challenges in maternal and neonatal health, particularly in rural and remote regions where healthcare access is limited. While governments and organisations have increasingly recognised the importance of deploying professionally trained midwives to address these disparities, the documented experiences of midwives working in these challenging environments remain limited. This scoping review aimed to explore the existing literature on the experiences of midwives practising in rural and remote areas of South Asia, with the goal of identifying key themes, gaps and opportunities for future policy and practice. Methods: A scoping review was carried out using the Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PubMed databases. A search was conducted using keywords for articles published between 2000 and May 2025. Abstracts were screened based on eligibility criteria, and common themes were identified and categorised for analysis. Data were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria including case study (n=1) quantitative (n=9), qualitative (n=8) and mixed-method studies (n=3). The included studies spanned seven South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Seven themes were identified across published literature: commitment to clinical care, scope of practice, education, resources and workforce, technology, society and culture, and environment and weather. Midwives face challenges providing care, including limited resources, sociocultural barriers related to gender roles and adverse weather conditions. The integration of technology, enabling midwives to practise to their full scope, enhancing education and fostering community acceptance could enhance midwifery practice in limited-resource settings.
Details
- Title
- Exploring the experiences of midwives in rural and remote regions in South Asia: a scoping review
- Authors
- Ryan Fraser (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastTerri Downer - University of the Sunshine CoastRatan Roy - South Asian UniversityFlorin Oprescu - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Rural and Remote Health, Vol.26(1), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- James Cook University
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.22605/RRH10324
- ISSN
- 1445-6354
- Copyright note
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Midwifery; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991214273902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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Source: InCites