The Professional Behavior of Midwives with respect to Their Responsibilities in Hospital Labor Units in Sari in solar year 1390

Background: high quality midwifery care for patients in the labor unit is of great importance in the promotion of women's wellbeing and pregnancy health. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the professional behavior of midwives with respect to their responsibilities and the service they provide in labor units in the university, governmental and private hospitals across sari in 1390.methods: forty midwives working in labor departments of university, governmental, and private hospitals in sari were recruited using random sampling and their professional behavior was assessed from four different aspects – i.e., midwives' self-assessment and their assessment by the labor unit chief, doctor, and patient. for data collection, four researcher-designed questionnaires (q) regarding professional behavior were filled by the midwife (q 1), labor unit chief (q 2), gynecologist (q 3) and patient (q 4). the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were proven using the test-retest method. descriptive and deductive data analysis was done using spss.results: overall, the subjects received the highest scores (i.e., favorable) with regard to following orders and writing patient files and received the lowest scores (i.e. average) concerning the follow up of laboratory results and consultations and being on time. regarding the follow up of laboratory results and consultations, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the labor unit chiefs' assessment of midwives and the assessment made by the gynecologists, with the highest and lowest scores given, respectively. however, there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the highest and lowest scores achieved, taking into account the place of origin or the marital or employment status of the midwives.conclusions: given the findings, the professional behavior of midwives working in labor units in sari was at a favorable level. yet, in order to improve standards of care, it is recommended that informative and educational steps be taken regarding the improvement of those factors considered to be of average assessment by the present study.