Abstract
Background: Some groups of immigrant women in Western countries have an increased
risk of negative pregnancy and birth outcomes compared to the host populations. Delayed
reactions to pregnancy complications contribute to ethnic inequities in reproductive health.
The MAMAACT intervention intended to improve women’s and the maternity care system’s
response to pregnancy complications. For midwives, the intervention comprised intercultural
communication and cultural competence training as well as dialogue meetings. For women, it
included a leaflet and a mobile application describing the most common pregnancy complications
and how to respond to them.
Aim: To investigate how the intended intervention mechanisms regarding response to pregnancy
complications were affected by barriers in non-Western immigrant women’s everyday life
situations.
Methods: Twenty-one in-depth interviews with non-Western immigrant women were
undertaken. Data were analysed in two steps: (1) systematic text condensation and (2)
application of the situational-adaptation framework.
Results: Four main categories were identified. ‘Sources of knowledge during pregnancy’,
which described how women were more prone to use the internet for informational support
than family and friends. ‘Containment of pregnancy warning signs’ illuminating how domestic,
work and school obligations lead to the containment of potential pregnancy complication
symptoms. ’Barriers during the onset of acute illness’ showing how low language proficiency,
lack of transport and practical support prevented women from seeking timely care, and finally
‘Previous situations with maternity care providers’ illustrating how negative experiences with
maternity care providers affected women’s motivation to seek care and led some women to
engage in self-care instead.
Conclusions: Attention to potential pregnancy complications may conflict with immigrant
women’s everyday life. This may result in the containment of symptoms and cause delays in
seeking care. It is possible, that barriers in women’s everyday life will impact the intended
intervention mechanisms, and the full potential of the intervention may not be reached.
risk of negative pregnancy and birth outcomes compared to the host populations. Delayed
reactions to pregnancy complications contribute to ethnic inequities in reproductive health.
The MAMAACT intervention intended to improve women’s and the maternity care system’s
response to pregnancy complications. For midwives, the intervention comprised intercultural
communication and cultural competence training as well as dialogue meetings. For women, it
included a leaflet and a mobile application describing the most common pregnancy complications
and how to respond to them.
Aim: To investigate how the intended intervention mechanisms regarding response to pregnancy
complications were affected by barriers in non-Western immigrant women’s everyday life
situations.
Methods: Twenty-one in-depth interviews with non-Western immigrant women were
undertaken. Data were analysed in two steps: (1) systematic text condensation and (2)
application of the situational-adaptation framework.
Results: Four main categories were identified. ‘Sources of knowledge during pregnancy’,
which described how women were more prone to use the internet for informational support
than family and friends. ‘Containment of pregnancy warning signs’ illuminating how domestic,
work and school obligations lead to the containment of potential pregnancy complication
symptoms. ’Barriers during the onset of acute illness’ showing how low language proficiency,
lack of transport and practical support prevented women from seeking timely care, and finally
‘Previous situations with maternity care providers’ illustrating how negative experiences with
maternity care providers affected women’s motivation to seek care and led some women to
engage in self-care instead.
Conclusions: Attention to potential pregnancy complications may conflict with immigrant
women’s everyday life. This may result in the containment of symptoms and cause delays in
seeking care. It is possible, that barriers in women’s everyday life will impact the intended
intervention mechanisms, and the full potential of the intervention may not be reached.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | 5 maj 2022 |
| Status | Udgivet - 5 maj 2022 |
| Begivenhed | NJF Congress 2022 Midwives promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights - Helsinki, Finland Varighed: 5 maj 2022 → 5 maj 2022 Konferencens nummer: 22 https://njfcongress.fi/ |
Konference
| Konference | NJF Congress 2022 Midwives promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights |
|---|---|
| Nummer | 22 |
| Land/Område | Finland |
| By | Helsinki |
| Periode | 05/05/22 → 05/05/22 |
| Internetadresse |