An observation of midwives’ health behaviour change language
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN89652750 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89652750 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 336985 |
| Protocol serial number | IRAS 336985 |
| Sponsor | University of Manchester |
| Funder | Medical Research Council |
- Submission date
- 25/07/2024
- Registration date
- 02/08/2024
- Last edited
- 04/09/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
In pregnancy, poor health behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of physical activity and non-adherence to vaccination, contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, pregnant women continue to engage in unhealthy behaviours. Pregnancy has been identified as a Teachable Moment, as it is a life event that presents an opportunity for health behaviour change. As the primary maternity care provider for most women, midwives are in an optimal position to support women with this behaviour change. However, midwives find these conversations challenging and de-prioritise them in clinical practice. The quality and success of behaviour change conversations are heavily impacted by the communication of the health professional. One aspect of communication, where there has been little attention in midwifery research, is the language used within these interactions. Evidence has shown that language is powerful within midwife-woman interactions, however, research has not yet explored the language used by midwives when discussing health behaviours. Therefore, the current research aims to explore the language used by midwives in health behaviour change discussions.
Who can participate?
Midwives who are employed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and work in a hospital antenatal clinic or the community, providing antenatal booking appointments. Pregnant women aged over 16 years of age who attend their antenatal booking appointment.
What does the study involve?
To explore the language used by midwives in health behaviour change discussions, antenatal booking appointments in hospital and community antenatal clinics will be audio-recorded and the data analysed using qualitative methods.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is hoped that by exploring midwives’ language, areas to target for improvement can be identified and an intervention developed.
Where is the study run from?
University of Manchester
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2024 to December 2025
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Hannah Talbot, hannah.talbot-3@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Coupland 1 Building
University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0009-0009-6515-4725 |
|---|---|
| Phone | N/A |
| hannah.talbot-3@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre qualitative observational study |
| Secondary study design | Qualitative study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | An observational study of the language used by midwives in health behaviour change interactions within the antenatal booking appointment. |
| Study objectives | What language do midwives use when discussing health behaviour change in the antenatal booking appointment? |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 24/10/2024, London – Bromley Research Ethics Committee (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 104 8118; bromley.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 24/LO/0693 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Health behaviour change language used by midwives |
| Intervention | The PI will audio-record antenatal booking appointments and all data relating to health behaviours will be extracted from the transcripts and analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. There will also be an element of deductive analysis, such as the Behaviour Change Counselling Index (BECCI), used to record aspects of the behaviour change communication. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The health behaviour change language used by midwives measured using data collected and analysed during antenatal appointments at one time point |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
There are no secondary outcome measures |
| Completion date | 01/12/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient, Service user |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Upper age limit | 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 80 |
| Total final enrolment | 33 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Midwife participants 1. Active NMC registration 2. Employed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust 3. Work in a hospital antenatal clinic or in the community, providing antenatal booking appointments Pregnant women 1. Over 16 years of age 2. Attending their antenatal booking appointment. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Midwives 1. No exclusion criteria Pregnant women 2. Women who are under 16 years of age |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/12/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 17/07/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Published as a supplement to the results publication |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and analysed during the current study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in the form of anonymised direct quotations. Participants will provide written informed consent for this data sharing. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
04/09/2025: The date of final enrolment was changed from 22/09/2025 to 17/07/2025; and, the total final enrolment was added.
06/11/2024: The ethics approval date was added and the recruitment start date was changed from 01/11/2024 to 01/12/2024.
11/10/2024: The ethics submission date was added and the recruitment start date was changed from 02/09/2024 to 01/11/2024.
30/07/2024: Study's existence confirmed by the Medical Research Council.
