Newborn care practices of mothers in Arab societies: implication for infant welfare

INTRODUCTION: There are at least 22 Arab league states and sections in Northern Africa, southwestern Asia, and Europe that incorporate the vast Middle Eastern culture. The purpose of this study was to identify the cultural variations in newborn care practices, self-management of common illnesses, and their potential impact on infant welfare. METHOD: A qualitative design using a focus group approach with 37 Arab mothers in Jordan was used. RESULTS: Findings revealed strong similarities in terms of beliefs, care practices, and the experience of intergenerational conflict in establishing and maintaining traditional practices among mothers. Potentially harmful practices included restrictive swaddling, rubbing a newborn\u27s body with salt, and encouraging the ingestion of herbs in newborns. DISCUSSION: It is important for nurses and midwives to be aware of traditional practices, cultural beliefs, and the implications for infant welfare if they are to effectively engage with families to promote the well-being of the newborn

The health-related quality of life of Syrian refugee women in their reproductive age

Background Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for refugee women in reproductive age is highly affected by physical, political, psychosocial and environmental conditions in countries of asylum. HRQoL is enormously affected by the satisfaction of this vulnerable group with the physical, psychological, emotional and social care services provided in this critical time. Therefore, this study aimed toassess the HRQoL among Syrian refugee women of reproductive age living outside camps in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 523 Syrian refugee women in the host communities in Jordan.Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured using the short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Results Significant negative correlations were found between SF-36 individual subscales score and the length of marriage, the number of children, parity and family income. The strongest correlations were between pain scale and length of marriage (r =  − .21), and between Energy/Fatigue and ‘number of children’ (r =  − .21). Conversely, antenatal care was positively correlated with physical, role emotional, pain, and general health. Physical functioning and general health were predicted significantly with less years of marriage, younger age at marriage, less violence and by higher family income. Conclusion This study suggests low HRQoL scores for women of reproductive age across all domains. Several factors such as years of marriage, age at marriage, the number of children, violence, antenatal care and family income affected the women’s general health. The provision of appropriate and accessible reproductive and maternal healthcare services in antenatal visits is critical for ensuring the immediate and long-term health and wellbeing of refugee women and their families

Maternal and neonatal factors associated with neonatal jaundice in Jordan:a case-control study

Background/Aims: Neonatal jaundice is a common cause of hospitalisation. This study aimed to identify maternal and neonatal factors associated with neonatal jaundice among hospitalised neonates in north Jordan. Methods: This was a case control study involving 312 mothers and their neonates (106 cases, 206 controls), recruited from two governmental hospitals in north Jordan.A structured interview was used to collect data. Neonatal medical records were accessed for clinical data. Results: Maternal factors associated with higher risk of jaundice included having higher education, being employed and having had a caesarean section. Neonatal factors associated with higher risk of jaundice included being preterm, receiving &lt;5 feeds per day and having ABO incompatibility. Conclusions: Using evidence-based guidelines for the assessment and management of risk factors helps to reduce the prevalence of jaundice requiring hospitalisation among neonates. Raising mothers' awareness of neonatal jaundice through interventions and education sessions during antenatal care, in particular for high-risk mothers, is also likely to help reduce its prevalence.</p