Le, Minh Thi, 1976-. Traditional postpartum practices among Vietnamese mothers : a study in anthi district, Hungyen province . Master's Degree(Health Social Science). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Traditional postpartum practices among Vietnamese mothers : a study in anthi district, Hungyen province
Abstract:
In Vietnam, traditional postpartum practices culturally exist among the
postpartum mothers after returning from the health facility. This is an ethnography
research aimed to explore the traditional postpartum practices among Vietnamese
mothers and to analyze how socio - cultural factors influencing these practices. This is
a qualitative study using in-depth interviews, informal interview and participated
observation techniques in Anthi district, HungYen province. Twenty postpartum
mothers within four months after delivery were interviewed. Six family members of
the postpartum women and three health workers were also involved in the study to get
more information.
It was found that there are a variety traditional postpartum practices that mothers
follow. These practices are related to diet prescription and prohibition, rest, bath and
shampoo restriction, sexual abstinence and other spiritual practices. The adherence to
the traditional cultural postpartum practices lasted 25 to 100 days. These practices are
based on curative and preventive beliefs. However, according to biomedical
classification, these practices can be divided into beneficial, neutral and potentially
harmful ones.
Traditional postpartum practices still dominant in contemporary Vietnamese
cultures. These practices are influenced by cultural and social factors. Local beliefs,
customs, and the lay referral significant female relatives play key roles in
recommending these behaviors. Gender factor is revealed as a key role in adhering to
the practices.
Base on the findings, several recommendations are made for designing and
providing the appropriate safe motherhood health programs and further research. The
recommendations include changing the views of health professionals toward client
cultures, considering how biomedicine can complement traditional practices,
providing information, and educating women the benefits of contemporary postpartum
care and strategies to help them to integrate their beliefs and modern ways of care.
Recommendations for further research include study with a broader target population
and research to find out the long term effects of traditional postpartum practices on
mother and child health