Sri Lankan-born women who have given birth in Victoria: a survey of their primary postpartum health-care needs
Irosha Nilaweera A B D , Heather Rowe A , Hau Nguyen A , Joanna Burns A , Frances Doran C and Jane Fisher AA Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Ground Floor, 89 Commercial Road, Prahran, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
B Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, 385, Reverend Baddegama Wimalawansa Thero Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
C School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: irosha.nilaweera@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(2) 133-139 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14067
Submitted: 16 January 2014 Accepted: 3 November 2014 Published: 23 February 2015
Abstract
Women who migrate are vulnerable after giving birth. Normal postpartum adaptive challenges are heightened by separation from family and lack of familiarity with local services. The aim was to investigate primary care needs among Sri Lankan-born women with at least one Victorian-born child aged under 2 years. Health care, information and support needs and unmet needs were assessed in a structured Sinhala or English survey offered in print, online or by telephone. Fifty women provided data. Most (80%) had at least one relative from Sri Lanka to stay for postpartum support. Despite this, many had difficulties settling (62%), feeding (58%) and soothing (42%) their babies. They used significantly fewer health services on average (2.3) than mothers in the general community (2.8) (P < 0.004). Only 32% of primiparous women attended at least one First-Time Parents’ group session. Of women experiencing infant care difficulties, only two-thirds accessed care from a Maternal and Child Health Nurse and only one-third from a General Practitioner. Sri Lankan-born mothers have significant unmet needs for primary care, which are not reduced by informal support. A two-pronged approach is indicated in which women are informed about primary care availability, and the cultural competence and client friendliness of services is strengthened.
Additional keywords: Australia, postpartum primary care, Sri Lankan-born mothers.
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