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Claudia Lopes A, Lousada M. Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women in Portugal. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:394. [PMID: 38321425 PMCID: PMC10848452 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17849-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after childbirth. However, breastfeeding is influenced by organizational, social, geopolitical, and cultural factors, which are understudied in the migrant population. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of refugee, migrant, and asylum-seeking mothers living in Lisbon. METHODS A sociodemographic questionnaire and a Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs, and Practices questionnaire were used to gather information regarding baseline breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and practices towards breastfeeding. RESULTS Only 40% of the mothers received antenatal counselling regarding the benefits and management of breastfeeding. Of the 20 responses, 10 (50%) mothers were found to have fair breastfeeding knowledge, 14 (70%) had fair attitudes and beliefs, and 12 (60%) had fair breastfeeding practices. Correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between mothers' breastfeeding attitudes (r = 0.531, p < 0.05) and their breastfeeding knowledge. There was no statistically significant correlation between the mothers' breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, and practices. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that healthy breastfeeding behaviours can be stimulated by receiving proper counselling from health professionals. Countries must focus on improving breastfeeding practices, as they still fail to do all they can to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding globally. Universal interventions are necessary to improve breastfeeding, regardless of migrant or refugee status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Lopes
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA@RISE), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marisa Lousada
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA@RISE), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences (ESSUA), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Izumi C, Trigg J, Stephens JH. A systematic review of migrant women's experiences of successful exclusive breastfeeding in high-income countries. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024; 20:e13556. [PMID: 37584632 PMCID: PMC10750009 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months after childbirth. However, since breastfeeding is influenced by cultural practice, it differs between migrant mothers and nonmigrant mothers. This systematic review examined migrant mothers' perceptions and experiences impacting achievement of exclusive breastfeeding after immigration from a low-middle-income country to a high-income country. CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Emcare were searched for qualitative studies published from 2010 to August 2022. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. We used meta-ethnographic synthesis to identify overarching themes, resulting in five themes: Migrant mothers (1) 'recognised the differences in breastfeeding practice between their home and host country'. During acculturation, mothers modify or stick to their breastfeeding practice in their host country based on their (2) 'breastfeeding knowledge' by combining their (3) 'original ethnic identity' with the (4) 'influence of family members, healthcare workers, infants, peers and workplace'. Although they face barriers, their (5) 'autonomy' motivated them to continue breastfeeding in a country where the breastfeeding norm differs from where they come from. Intrapersonal and interpersonal socio-ecological factors played a significant role in their breastfeeding practice in the host country. Findings indicate public health policy and practice to support breastfeeding for migrant women in high-income countries can be improved, particularly by emphasising the importance of providing affirmative, comprehensive and practical support from healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieko Izumi
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Ehime Prefectural University of Health SciencesEhimeJapan
| | - Joshua Trigg
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jacqueline H. Stephens
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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Lee IS, Jeon JH. Knowledge of atopic dermatitis and food allergies, as well as health information literacy, among North Korean refugee mothers: a descriptive survey study. CHILD HEALTH NURSING RESEARCH 2023; 29:300-312. [PMID: 37939676 PMCID: PMC10636526 DOI: 10.4094/chnr.2023.29.4.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated knowledge of atopic dermatitis and food allergies, as well as health information literacy, among North Korean refugee mothers with preschool-age children and explored how these variables were related to participants' characteristics. METHODS A descriptive study design was used. Data from 130 North Korean refugee mothers were collected between January and March 2023. RESULTS The mean scores were 14.48 of 30 for atopic dermatitis knowledge; 2.77 of 10 for food allergy knowledge, and 56.95 of 80 for health information literacy. Significant differences were observed in knowledge of atopic dermatitis based on breastfeeding duration (F=4.12, p=.009), and in knowledge of food allergies based on mixed feeding (F=3.11, p=.049). Health information literacy showed significant relationships with education level (F=3.76, p=.026), occupation (F=3.99, p=.021), checking nutritional information (t=2.91, p=.004), mixed feeding (F=4.50, p=.014), and atopic dermatitis diagnosis (t=6.86, p=.001). Significant positive correlations were observed between atopic dermatitis knowledge, food allergy knowledge, and health information literacy. CONCLUSION Personalized educational programs should be implemented to improve awareness of allergies and health information literacy among North Korean refugee mothers, which would help them find, evaluate, and understand health-related information. These programs should focus on providing nutrition and dietary education to promote healthy growth in children and prevent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Sook Lee
- Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Hannam University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Hee Jeon
- Visiting Professor, College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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Lee IS. Knowledge, confidence, and educational needs of newborn care among North Korean refugee women: a descriptive study. CHILD HEALTH NURSING RESEARCH 2023; 29:72-83. [PMID: 36760114 PMCID: PMC9925302 DOI: 10.4094/chnr.2023.29.1.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE North Korean refugee women struggle with the double burden of adaptation and parenting as mothers in a new environment. This study aimed to identify the knowledge, confidence, and educational needs regarding newborn care among North Korean refugees, and to determine differences between these variables according to participants' characteristics. METHODS Data were collected from September to October 2022, and 150 North Korean refugee women recruited using convenience sampling participated in the study. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS The mean scores were as follows: parenting knowledge, 14.97 out of 25; infection prevention knowledge and confidence, 20.09 out of 33 and 51.37 out of 80, respectively; and educational needs, 245.86 out of 310. Significant differences were observed in newborn care, knowledge, and confidence according to maternal age, educational level, family structure, and pregnancy history. Significant positive correlations were observed between the participants' newborn care knowledge, confidence, and educational needs. CONCLUSION Personalized educational programs should be implemented to enhance North Korean refugee women's confidence in newborn care, focusing on areas with low knowledge levels and high educational needs and enabling women to achieve healthy pregnancy and childbirth, and to parent well.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Sook Lee
- Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Hannam University, Daejeon, Korea,Corresponding author In-Sook Lee Department of Nursing, Hannam University, 70 Hannam-ro, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon 34430, Korea TEL: +82-42-629-8472 FAX: +82-42-629-8472 E-MAIL:
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Mosley EA, Pratt M, Besera G, Clarke LS, Miller H, Noland T, Whaley B, Cochran J, Mack A, Higgins M. Evaluating Birth Outcomes From a Community-Based Pregnancy Support Program for Refugee Women in Georgia. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:655409. [PMID: 34816209 PMCID: PMC8593936 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.655409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Refugee women face numerous and unique barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare and can experience worse pregnancy-related outcomes compared with U.S.-born and other immigrant women. Community-based, culturally tailored programs like Embrace Refugee Birth Support may improve refugee access to healthcare and health outcomes, but empirical study is needed to evaluate programmatic benefits. This community-engaged research study is led by the Georgia Doula Access Working Group, including a partnership between academic researchers, Emory Decatur Hospital nurses, and Embrace. We analyzed hospital clinical records (N = 9,136) from 2016 to 2018 to assess pregnancy-related outcomes of Embrace participants (n = 113) and a comparison group of women from the same community and racial/ethnic backgrounds (n = 9,023). We controlled for race, language, maternal age, parity, insurance status, preeclampsia, and diabetes. Embrace participation was significantly associated with 48% lower odds of labor induction (OR = 0.52, p = 0.025) and 65% higher odds of exclusive breastfeeding intentions (OR = 1.65, p = 0.028). Embrace showed positive but non-significant trends for reduced cesarean delivery (OR = 0.83, p = 0.411), higher full-term gestational age (OR = 1.49, p = 0.329), and reduced low birthweight (OR = 0.77, p = 0.55). We conclude that community-based, culturally tailored pregnancy support programs like Embrace can meet the complex needs of refugee women. Additionally, community-engaged, cross-sector research approaches could ensure the inclusion of both community and clinical perspectives in research design, implementation, and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Mosley
- Georgia State University School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States,Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States,*Correspondence: Elizabeth A. Mosley
| | | | - Ghenet Besera
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lasha S. Clarke
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Heidi Miller
- Embrace Refugee Birth Support, Clarkston, GA, United States
| | - Tracy Noland
- Embrace Refugee Birth Support, Clarkston, GA, United States
| | - Bridget Whaley
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Amber Mack
- Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Melinda Higgins
- Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA, United States
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SHARMA E, HOWARD N, DUCLOS D. Navigating new lives: A scoping review and thematic synthesis of forced migrant women's perinatal experiences. J Migr Health 2020; 1-2:100014. [PMID: 34405168 PMCID: PMC8352206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For health systems and maternity services to respond effectively to forced displacement, an understanding of the lived experiences of women seeking protection during childbearing is required. This study aim was to systematically review existing literature on the perinatal experiences of forced migrant women. METHODS We conducted a scoping review including MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science and PsychINFO databases and manual search of references. Included studies were quality-assessed and analysed using inductive thematic synthesis. FINDINGS In total 39 studies were included, involving 624 forced migrant women in 12 countries. Three inductive themes were: (1) "The nature of being a forced migrant," describing multiple liminalities experienced by women; (2) support during the perinatal period, showing women's (re)negotiation of shifting kinship and support networks; and (3) interactions with maternity services, revealing variations in maternity care experiences. CONCLUSION Findings highlight the systemic power structures forced migrant women must (re)negotiate during the perinatal period and the supportive and empowering role maternity services can play through provision of woman-centred care. Further research is needed to understand the lived perinatal experiences of forced migrant in low-income and transit country contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther SHARMA
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha HOWARD
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
- National University of Singapore, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, 12 Science Drive 2, 117549, Singapore
| | - Diane DUCLOS
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
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