Misinformation as an occupational hazard in midwifery: findings from a global survey

Background

Health misinformation is recognized as a growing challenge in maternity care, yet the experiences of midwives navigating it in practice remain largely undocumented. No large-scale survey of the midwifery workforce on this topic has previously been conducted.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was administered in nine languages to midwives in active clinical practice across 79 countries (November 2025 to February 2026). Of 562 respondents, 513 were eligible. The sample was predominantly from Sub-Saharan Africa (54%) and Europe and Central Asia (26%). Regression modelling and cluster analysis examined predictors of exposure, harassment, and professional confidence.

Results

Addressing misinformation was near-universal (93.1%), and 23.2% of respondents reported experiencing harassment in this context. Cluster analysis identified three professional engagement profiles. Confident interveners (29%) used the broadest range of educational strategies, including health education, teaching critical evaluation skills, and guiding patients toward reliable sources. A larger group, concerned but discouraged (35%), showed high motivation and worry but low optimism about effectiveness. A disengaged group (13%) showed limited readiness to act. Profiles were not explained by age, education, gender, or work setting, indicating they reflect professional orientation rather than workforce characteristics. Trained midwives reported higher harassment rates than untrained peers, and professional orientation was a stronger predictor of confidence than training or experience.

Conclusions

This first global survey of midwives on misinformation reveals that engagement with health misinformation is a routine and professionally costly feature of midwifery practice worldwide. The findings challenge assumptions about training as a primary workforce response and point toward the need for structural support alongside education.

Key messages

• Addressing health misinformation is a near-universal and professionally costly part of midwifery practice globally.

• Training increases occupational risk rather than reducing it, challenging current workforce policy assumptions.