Work-Related Challenges Faced by Mindwives in Kenya

Abstract

This literature review examined studies from 2015 to 2025 to understand midwives' challenges at work in Kenya. Originally informal, midwifery in Kenya has become a regulated profession, but gaps remain in training, supplies, and policy. This literature review aimed to compare those early findings with eight recent empirical studies to establish current gaps, evolving concerns, and their impact on nursing clinical activities. We extensively searched PubMed and CINAHL, which returned 408 records, yielding eight studies for in‑depth qualitative analysis. The study results demonstrate that policy changes and educational improvements have not solved the problems of insufficient training and persistent resource shortages, alongside unclear role definitions and heavy workloads that vary by region and facility type. Decentralization, patchy guideline rollout, and local cultural norms help explain the gap between policy and practice. The study concludes with a call to strengthen ongoing professional development while enforcing regulatory structures, allocating designated resources, and implementing community-centered care schemes to boost midwifery personnel capabilities and maternal healthcare results in Kenya.