Cultural and Nonfunctional Infant Care Practices of Women Visiting Family Health Centers

Authors : Nuray Öztürk, Gülendam Karadağ

Pages : 117-130

View : 144 | Download : 183

Publication Date : 2023-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Some cultural practices continue to affect the health of newborns and infants. Therefore, cultural practices are an important issue that should be emphasized. Family health centers are among the institutions that families frequently apply to. In this study, it was aimed to determine the cultural practices applied by mothers who applied to primary care and to determine the factors affecting them. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study. Data were collected via a Cultural Infant Care Practices Questionnaire, and the Nonfunctional Beliefs and Implementations Attitude Scale. Study data were collected in five different Family Health Centers (FHCs) affiliated with the Health Directorate in a province in the west of Turkey. Participants were women aged 18-49 with at least one child (n= 208). Results: Potentially harmful practices include restrictive swaddling, rubbing a newborn\\\'s body with salt, and using vegetable oils on newborns. Education level and age affect mothers\\\' recourse to cultural practice. It has been determined that mothers who apply to cultural practices have inappropriate knowledge and beliefs in infant care. Conclusion: Nurses working in primary health care should be aware of the effects of cultural practices, which is still a current problem, on infant health and should inform mothers who are mothers at a young age or low educational level about infant care.
Keywords : Geleneksel ve Kültürel Uygulamalar, , Fonksiyonel Olmayan Uygulamalar, Bebek Bakımı, Hemşirelik

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