Abstract
Background: High infant mortality remains a global health problem, particularly in less developedcountries. Indonesia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Southeast Asia. Known factors relateto documented medical conditions and do not necessarily explain their origin.Aim: To identify and explore factors that contribute to infant mortality in Papua, Indonesia, through thelens of health workers’ perceptions.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews was used. TwelveIndonesian health workers participated. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thenanalysed thematically.Findings: Five main themes were generated: beliefs and practices related to pregnancy, birth, and infants;infant health factors; maternal health factors; barriers to seeking, receiving and providing infant healthcare; and enablers and strategies for improving infant health.
Discussion: Cultural factors were perceived as contributing to poor health outcomes by shaping decisions,help seeking behaviour and health care access. Poverty, health literacy, road access and transport,shortage of health staffing, and health equipment and medicines exacerbate poor health outcomes.
Conclusion: Cultural knowledge and sensitivity are central to the provision and acceptance of health careby local families in Papua, Indonesia.
Recommendations include: improving cultural sensitivity andcultural safety of service; implementing community health promotion to enhance maternal and infanthealth; improving community participation in health care planning and delivery; and enhancingcollaboration between national, provincial, regency and local governments
Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews was used. TwelveIndonesian health workers participated. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thenanalysed thematically.Findings: Five main themes were generated: beliefs and practices related to pregnancy, birth, and infants;infant health factors; maternal health factors; barriers to seeking, receiving and providing infant healthcare; and enablers and strategies for improving infant health.
Discussion: Cultural factors were perceived as contributing to poor health outcomes by shaping decisions,help seeking behaviour and health care access. Poverty, health literacy, road access and transport,shortage of health staffing, and health equipment and medicines exacerbate poor health outcomes.
Conclusion: Cultural knowledge and sensitivity are central to the provision and acceptance of health careby local families in Papua, Indonesia.
Recommendations include: improving cultural sensitivity andcultural safety of service; implementing community health promotion to enhance maternal and infanthealth; improving community participation in health care planning and delivery; and enhancingcollaboration between national, provincial, regency and local governments
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 201-209 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Women and Birth |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 12 Apr 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
