Multiple-birth family knowledge in maternity and child health clinics: filling knowledge gaps to improve multiple-birth family nursing

A multiple-birth family is one with or expecting more than one child from the same pregnancy. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate knowledge about multiple-birth families among midwives and public health nurses working in maternity and child health clinics in Finland. The data were collected with a Finnish language questionnaire in spring 2022. Because relevant questionnaires did not exist, we created a new questionnaire based on existing knowledge and practices. The questionnaire assessed xx themes of multiple-birth knowledge relevant for the target population. The response rate was 50% and the number of respondents was 72. A total of 92 items were assessed and these showed high levels of consistency within themes. The respondents had substantial variation in their levels of multiple-birth family knowledge concerning different themes (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.001). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed many significant differences between themes. The two themes of knowledge of speech development of twins and breast feeding having the lowest level of knowledge, while interaction and support expected by the parents having the highest level of knowledge. The respondents had good knowledge of only five themes of multiple-birth family knowledge. Of all the themes, only knowledge about breast feeding was not significantly related to other themes, except for a weak correlation (r = 0.264, p < 0.05) with knowledge about caring for twins and understanding the situation. The age, educational level and work experience of respondents did not significantly affect their scores (all p > 0.1). Although the respondents had knowledge about early interaction, bonding and supporting the growth and development of child, its application is insufficient or lacking because of the special needs of multiple birth families. Further research is required on the effectiveness of training interventions and on nursing in different nursing contexts.