Hmong Cultural Practices and Beliefs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural practices and beliefs of the Hmong in the postpartum period. Using the qualitative research method of in-depth interviewing, data were collected through semistructured interviews. A convenience sample of 52 childbearing Hmong women was interviewed with the help of Hmong interpreters. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed for analysis. Data analysis revealed cultural practices and beliefs categories related to diet, rest period, appropriate clothing, breast feeding, and sex practices in the postpartum period. Implications for nursing include both cultural sensitivity and an understanding of such traditional practices, before suggesting or implementing any health-promotion activities.

Medicinal plants used in Hmong women's healthcare in northern Thailand

“…Prescriptive behaviors after childbirth are important for ensuring women's short-term survival, long-term health, maintenance of their fertility, and their ability to produce breast milk . In this study informants rarely reported herbal bathing for postpartum treatments even if 'warm showers/baths' have been reported in other studies of the Hmong postpartum treatments (Jambunathan, 1995). Such herbal bathing is also common among other Thai and Southeast Asian cultures (Liulan et al, 2003;Lundh, 2007;Zumsteg and Weckerle, 2007;de Boer and Lamxay, 2009;Lamxay et al, 2011;Panyaphu et al, 2011).…”

“…This also holds for the Hmong culture and a rest period of one month after childbirth is commonly recommended (Jambunathan, 1995;Daviau, 2003). Despite the fact that young Hmong mothers no longer give birth at home, postpartum practices are still important and adhered to.…”

“…The new mothers may only consume hot rice and chicken soup (Jambunathan, 1995) cooked with green herbs (Rice, 1999). It is believed that consumption of chicken and rice contributes to individual strength in old age and prevention of future sickness because chicken contains less fat than soup from other meat (Jambunathan, 1995). The tradition of consuming chicken as postpartum diet is also observed among the Chinese (Pillsbury, 1978;Liulan et al, 2003;Raven et al, 2007;Tung, 2010), Thai (Kaewsarn et al, 2003b), Mien (Daviau, 2003;Panyaphu et al, 2011), and some ethnic groups in Lao (Daviau, 2003;de Boer and Lamxay, 2009;Lamxay et al, 2011).…”

“…During that period Hmong women may only rest, eat and take care of their child and they have a variety of medicinal plants that they use for recovery and diet. The new mothers may only consume hot rice and chicken soup (Jambunathan, 1995) cooked with green herbs (Rice, 1999). It is believed that consumption of chicken and rice contributes to individual strength in old age and prevention of future sickness because chicken contains less fat than soup from other meat (Jambunathan, 1995).…”

Post-Partum Excessive Bleeding among Bangladeshi Women; Determinants, Perceptions, Recognition, Responses

“…Mismanagement of PPH cases often exacerbates morbidity and mortality in resource poor settings due to the absence of antenatal care, inadequacy of primary health care training, inadequate referrals, lack of emergency facilities and equipments, and absence of blood transfusion facilities [25]. those in the biomedical field [26][27][28]. In Nepal, community perceptions of bleeding and the associated meanings vary among different members of the family [29].…”