Midwive's professional competence for prevention of sexual violence and spread of HIV during disasters in Tehran-2014

Sexual violence and sexually transmitted diseases increaseduringdisasters, butthese two main areas of reproductive health are less addressed. As midwives are responsible for providingreproductive health during disasters, it is helpful to assess their competence in this regard.
This study was performed to assess midwives’ professional competence for prevention of sexual violence and spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases(STD) during disasters.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 in Tehran. A total of 361 midwives working in governmental hospitals of Tehran, with cluster sampling completed a researcher-made questionnaire about professional competence forprevention of sexual violence and spread of HIV and other STDsduring disasters after signing informed consent. The data were analyzed inthe SPSS software.
The mean score of midwives’ professional competence was 57.7 ± 0.74 in the prevention of sexual violence and 47.7 ±0.52in the prevention of HIV and other STDs , both of which were moderate. Only 31.9% cited they had been trained for disaster and 74.6% stated that their university education did not suffice for proper functioning in disaster. Midwives’ professional competency scores were correlated with age and educational level (P=0.05).
Considering the midwives’moderatescores of professional competence for providing reproductive health services in the mentioned areas, it seems that current educational programs areinsufficient.The inadequacy of previous university studies and training programs shows the need to revise the curriculumin midwifery to contain relevant training.