Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Investigating the relationship between the level of compliance with the ethical codes of the midwifery profession and the type of error in midwifery and reproductive health graduates of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

10.22034/ethic.2026.2084481.1221
Volume 15, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 22-30
Education and Ethics In Nursing ISSN: 2322-5300

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

zahra sohrabi 1
Mohsen Shahriari 2

1 Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Adult Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Introduction: Ethical performance is a fundamental component of healthcare, particularly in the realm of maternal and fetal health. Medical errors, encompassing negligence and professional misconduct, lead to severe consequences such as increased maternal and infant mortality and a decline in public trust in the healthcare system. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the association between the level of adherence to professional ethical codes and the types of clinical errors (diagnostic, therapeutic, medication, and follow-up) among midwifery and reproductive health graduates of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted during 2021–2022 on 107 graduates of Midwifery and Reproductive Health at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences using a convenience sampling method. Data collection instruments included a demographic information checklist and a questionnaire assessing adherence to professional ethical codes, which was utilized after confirmation of its validity and reliability. In addition, the occurrence of errors was assessed using a clinical error evaluation checklist that recorded the frequency of different types of errors, including diagnostic, therapeutic, medication, and follow-up errors. Data were collected through Google Forms and analyzed using SPSS software version 22. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 for all tests.
Findings: The mean score of adherence to ethical codes among the study samples was 79.07 ± 14.55. Based on Spearman’s correlation test, there was a significant negative correlation between the level of adherence to ethical codes and various types of errors (diagnostic, therapeutic, medication, and follow-up) (P < 0.05). This indicates that higher adherence to ethical codes was associated with a lower incidence of medical errors.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a significant negative statistical association between adherence to professional ethical principles and the occurrence of clinical errors among midwifery and reproductive health graduates. Therefore, it is recommended that continuous educational programs and organizational policies be designed and implemented to strengthen an ethical culture and approach within these professions. The implementation of these interventions can potentially contribute to a reduction in clinical errors, improvement in clinical performance, and enhancement of professional standards in maternal and neonatal health.

Keywords

Ethics
Professional Ethics
Codes of Professional Ethics
Error
Midwifery
Subjects
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