Table 3.

Description of methodologies and approaches used for data collection and analysis.

Method/Approach	Description
Ecological systems theory	The ecological systems theory employs a multi-level interactive approach to describe the interaction between and the interdependence of factors within and across all levels of health problems [23] and was used to form the key themes in this study. The ecological systems theory’s five levels of influencers are: 1) intrapersonal or individual factors (e.g. knowledge, perception, and beliefs of individuals); 2) interpersonal factors (e.g. the processes and influences caused by families, peers, groups etc.); 3) institutional or organisational factors (e.g. rules, regulations, policies); 4) community factors (e.g. social networks, standards, formal/informal social-cultural norms); and 5) public policy factors including local, state and national laws that regulate and enforce health practices [23]
QMNC Framework	The framework is based on 50 short—, medium-—, and long-term outcomes that could be improved by how and by whom care is provided [22]. The framework associated the care provided by educated, competent, licensed, and regulated midwives with improved maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality [23]. The framework was used to explore the scope of midwifery practice as described by participants.
Framework Analyses	This pragmatic epistemological approach is well-suited for qualitative datasets generated from multi-disciplinary groups of participants [25]. The five steps of Framework Analysis were followed: 1) data familiarisation, 2) identifying a thematic framework, 3) indexing all study data against the framework, 4) charting to summarise the indexed data and 5) mapping and interpretation [25].
Human-centred Design	a practical methodology that keeps the end beneficiaries’ needs and demands in constant focus to promote better responses from service providers [24]