Sociocultural influences on newborn health in the first 6 weeks of life: qualitative study in a fishing village in Karachi, Pakistan

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Rachelle Forgeron⁴  Salima Meherali¹  Shaneela Khowaja³  Shahirose Premji² 

[1] Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G ICP, Canada;Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada;School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan;Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

关键词: Pakistan;    Qualitative;    Newborn;    Infant;    Community health care;    Caregiving environment;   

Others  :  1127124
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2393-14-232

 received in 2013-09-30, accepted in 2014-07-09,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Given regional variability and minimal improvement in infant mortality rates in Pakistan, this study aimed to explicate sociocultural influences impacting mothers’ efforts to maintain or improve newborn health.

Methods

We used a qualitative phenomenological approach. A total of 10 mothers and 8 fathers from a fishing village in Karachi, Pakistan were purposefully sampled and interviewed individually. A focus group was undertaken with four grandmothers (primary decision makers). Transcripts were independently reviewed using interpretive thematic analysis.

Results

A multigenerational approach was used in infant care, but mothers did not have a voice in decision-making. Parents connected breast milk to infant health, and crying was used as cue to initiate feeding. Participants perceived that newborns required early supplementation, given poor milk supply and to improve health. There were tensions between traditional (i.e., home) remedies and current medical practices. Equal importance was given to sons and daughters.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that social and cultural influences within families and the community must be considered in developing interventions to improve newborn health. Introducing non-breast milk substances into newborn diets may reduce the duration of exclusive or partial breastfeeding and increase risks to infant health.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Premji et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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