8.7.3 Childbirth between two cultures: Behaviour and characteristics comparison between Jewish and Arab delivering woman (356)

Ester Klug, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Research, Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Beer Yakove, Israel Co authors: Hanita Nathanzon & Michal Rassin rasinm@asaf.health.gov.il

Abstract:

Background:

Labor is a personal and social experience affected by cultural. Caregivers that are unaware of the differences between women from different cultures may create an un-satisfactory delivery experience for the woman. In Israel, Arab and Jewish women attend delivery rooms. Cultural differences between the two groups are realized during pregnancy, and childbirth.

Aim:

The research aimed at comparing Arab and Jewish women characteristics regarding responses to health regime, and behavioral expressions during delivery and childbed.

Methods:

The participants were 126 Jewish and Arab- Muslim women. Participants were located within the first 3 days of childbed, in the delivery room. They answered a 45 items questionnaire, constructed for the current research. Data collection took place between October 2006 and May 2007. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, and comparisons were made using Chi-square and t-tests. Findings show clear distinction between the two groups, concerning pregnancy monitoring and participation in delivery preparation course; these parameters were lower among Arab women. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found upon attending delivery room, related to type and number of accompaniers, and pain expression, which were higher among Arab women. Epidural anesthesia pain relief was highly prevalent among Jewish women, in comparison with the Arab women. After delivery all Arab participants decided on breast feeding, while third of the Jewish decided not to breast feed. No significant differences were found concerning weight gain during pregnancy, reasons for attending delivery room, number of pregnancy weeks prior to delivery and offspring's weight.

Discussion:

The findings show several differences that may affect the delivery experience and its evaluation from the woman and cargiver point of view. Realizing and understanding the cultural-dependent differences may assist caregivers in supplying a culturally sensitive treatment that will focus and suit the delivering woman's needs.