OPINIONS OF MIDWIFERY STUDENTS ON FETAL ABUSE

Objectives: This study was carried out using a qualitative research technique to determine the opinions of midwifery students on fetal abuse. Methods: The universe of this study was made up of third grade midwifery students at a university in Ankara, and the sampling involved 41 students randomly selected among this group. To conduct the study, written permission of the deanery of the related university and verbal consent of the participants was acquired. The students were asked to write a composition to express their opinions on fetal abuse. The study was terminated when the data started iterating. Content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. Results: The data obtained from the interviews were collected under three main themes. First Theme: Maternal-fetal abuse; The students study stated that smoking, alcohol, and drugs would cause fetal abuse. Second Theme: Non-maternal fetal abuse; The students stated that mother s exposure to verbal, sexual, and physical violence would lead to fetal abuse. Third Theme: Fetal abuse from the mother and other individuals; The students stated that the abortion carried out with the consent of the mother, the father or the family would cause fetal abuse.Conclusions: It was determined that the students had awareness about fetal abuse. The awareness of midwives about this issue giving one-to-one care to pregnant women is important in determining and preventing fetal abuse and eliminating its adverse effects.