Knowledge and perceptions of the midwifery profession among university students in Luxembourg

Introduction: Knowledge of midwives’ competencies and preferences for maternity care providers play an important role in shaping care-seeking behavior and the utilization of midwifery-led models of care. However, limited research has explored these aspects among young adults, particularly in multicultural contexts such as Luxembourg.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in Luxembourg using an online survey based on the validated Midwifery Profiling Questionnaire (MidProQ). The questionnaire assessed knowledge of midwives’ legal competencies during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, as well as preferred and perceived central maternity care providers. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine associations between knowledge and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: A total of 133 participants were included, the majority being female (75.9%) and aged 18–24 years (60.2%). Knowledge of midwives’ legal competencies varied significantly by gender, age, language background, and educational level. Female participants and those enrolled in advanced or health-related programs demonstrated higher levels of agreement with midwives’ competencies. Preferences for maternity care providers were stage-specific: obstetricians were predominantly preferred and perceived as central during pregnancy, whereas midwives were more frequently preferred and perceived as central during labor and childbirth.

Discussion: University students in Luxembourg demonstrate knowledge of midwives’ legal competencies that varies significantly by gender, age, language background, and educational level, alongside stage-specific preferences for maternity care providers. These findings highlight the need for targeted, culturally sensitive educational and policy strategies to improve public understanding of midwives’ roles. Strengthening awareness may support informed decision-making, promote appropriate utilization of midwifery-led care, and contribute to workforce sustainability and the development of midwifery-led models of care in Luxembourg and similar multicultural settings.