CONTEXTUAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MAMAACT INTERVENTION ACROSS DENMARK – A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF NON-WESTERN IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S RESPONSE TO PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Helle Johnsen, Ulla Christensen, Mette Juhl, Sarah Fredsted Villadsen

Research output: Contribution to conference without a publisher/journalAbstractResearchpeer-review

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 lead 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.



Original languageEnglish
Publication date5 May 2022
Publication statusPublished - 5 May 2022
EventNJF Congress 2022
Midwives promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Helsinki, Finland
Duration: 5 May 20225 May 2022
Conference number: 22
https://njfcongress.fi/

Conference

ConferenceNJF Congress 2022
Midwives promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
Number22
Country/TerritoryFinland
CityHelsinki
Period05/05/2205/05/22
Internet address

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