Providing culturally sensitive care to the childbearing islamic family: part ii, ,

Patient-centered care for Muslim women: provider and patient perspectives

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to address the gap in existing literature regarding provider perspectives about provision of high-quality, culturally appropriate, patient-centered care to Muslim women in the United States and (2) to explore congruence between provider and patient perceptions regarding barriers to and recommendations for providing such care.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional study design, a written survey was administered to a convenience sample of healthcare providers (n = 80) and Muslim women (n = 27).

RESULTS

There was considerable congruence among patients and providers regarding healthcare needs of Muslim women. A majority (83.3%) of responding providers reported encountering challenges while providing care to Muslim women. A majority (93.8%) of responding patients reported that their healthcare provider did not understand their religious or cultural needs. Providers and patients outlined similar barriers/challenges and recommendations. Key challenges included lack of providers' understanding of patients' religious and cultural beliefs; language-related patient-provider communication barriers; patients' modesty needs; patients' lack of understanding of disease processes and the healthcare system; patients' lack of trust and suspicion about the healthcare system, including providers; and system-related barriers. Key recommendations included provider education about basic religious and cultural beliefs of Muslim patients, provider training regarding facilitation of a collaborative patient-provider relationship, addressing language-related communication barriers, and patient education about disease processes and preventive healthcare.

CONCLUSIONS

Both providers and patients identify significant barriers to the provision of culturally appropriate care to Muslim women. Improving care would require a flexible and collaborative care model that respects and accommodates the needs of patients, provides opportunities for training providers and educating patients, and makes necessary adjustments in the healthcare system. The findings of this study can guide future research aimed at ensuring high-quality, culturally appropriate, patient-centered healthcare for Muslim women in the United States and other western countries.

Néonatalité et constitution des savoirs en contexte migratoire : familles et services de santé. Enjeux théoriques, perspectives anthropologiques

Ce texte, inspiré d’une recherche naissante et des expériences de terrain des auteures, aborde la période périnatale comme un moment charnière pour la transmission de savoirs familiaux. En contexte migratoire, cette période prend un sens particulier, à la fois en raison de l’éloignement des proches et de l’investissement du projet parental (l’avenir des enfants étant souvent au coeur du projet migratoire). La naissance d'un enfant permet également à plusieurs de prendre connaissance des services médicaux québécois. Le questionnement est alors double : comment les savoirs et les pratiques familiales périnatales sont-ils transmis (et réinterprétés) dans la société locale, et comment ceux-ci trouvent-ils écho auprès des experts dans les services de santé locaux? Les musulmans étant d’une immigration récente et croissante au Québec, nous nous attardons davantage à ce groupe en ce qu’il témoigne à la fois d’une diversité culturelle, ethnique et religieuse.

"They can't understand it": maternity health and care needs of immigrant Muslim women in St. John's, Newfoundland

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this qualitative study was to document and explore the maternity health care needs and the barriers to accessing maternity health services from the perspective of immigrant Muslim women living in St. John's, Canada.

METHODS

A purposive approach was used in recruiting six individuals to participate in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a two-step process of content analysis. Three metathemes were identified and compared to previous research on maternity health and the care needs of immigrant women.

RESULTS

Women experienced discrimination, insensitivity and lack of knowledge about their religious and cultural practices. Health information was limited or lacked the cultural and religious specificity to meet their needs during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum phases. There were also significant gaps between existing maternity health services and women's needs for emotional support, and culturally and linguistically appropriate information. This gap was further complicated by the functional and cultural adjustments associated with immigration.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternity health care information and practices designed to meet the needs of mainstream Canadian-born women lacked the flexibility to meet the needs of immigrant Muslim women. Recommendations for change directed at decision makers include improving access to culturally and linguistically appropriate maternity and health related information, developing the diversity responsiveness of health care providers and the organizations where they work and establishing social support networks and partnerships with immigrant communities. Changes that address the needs of immigrant Muslim women have the potential to create more inclusive and responsive maternity health services for all Canadian women.

Islam and infant feeding

Few physicians in the United States receive formal education related to principles of infant care in Islamic families. Breastfeeding has a religious basis in Islam and it is recommended that the mother suckle her offspring for 2 years if possible. Weaning from the breast before that period is allowed if mutually decided on by both parents. The infant's father has an obligation to support his wife through any circumstances that may affect breastfeeding and, in case of divorce, provide shelter and financial support to the mother-infant dyad for as long as breastfeeding continues. By showing understanding and respect of Islamic beliefs related to infant feeding, clinicians can help support healthy early feeding of Muslim infants.