Crisis: an educational game to reduce mortality and morbidity

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity rates remain high in sub-Saharan Africa, yet with appropriate management, these rates could be reduced significantly. Midwifery training to improve the management of women during intrapartum period is often lacking, calling for innovative training methods in midwifery clinical care.

Aims: To develop and evaluate a game, aimed at the prevention and management of the main causes of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: In collaboration with the Lugina Africa Midwives Research Network (LAMRN), the authors developed an educational board game and field tested the final version in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi with midwives (n=56) and student midwives (n=32).

Findings: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation demonstrated that the game was well liked for its ease of use, acceptable appearance and relevance to practice.

Conclusions: The board game, named ‘Crisis’, has potential to influence practice; however, further research is required to assess its ability to improve outcomes.