The experience of Middle Eastern men living in Sweden of maternal and child health care and fatherhood: focus-group discussions and content analysis

Abstract

Objective: To describe how men from the Middle East experience Swedish maternity and child health care. An integral part of the aim of this study has also been to describe the experiences of men from the Middle East when becoming and being a father in Sweden. Design, setting and participants: an exploratory, qualitative study using focus-group discussions and individual interviews, with a semi-structured interview guide and content analysis. A total of 16 men participated. Ten Arabicspeaking men from the Middle East living in Sweden participated in three focus-group discussions. Six men from the Middle East living in Sweden, and speaking Swedish, participated in individual interviews. Findings: three main categories were developed: meeting empathic professionals; finding new positions within the family; and experiencing social demands. Key conclusions and implications for practice: seeing their partners being met individually and with empathy by midwives and child health-care nurses encouraged men to become involved in areas not previously open to them (i.e. pregnancy, childbirth and the care of babies and young children). As the women often lacked knowledge of Swedish, they depended on the help of their partners when meeting maternity and child health-care professionals. The men found the experience of living in an alien country difficult. They were often unemployed, felt they were a burden to their wives after emigrating to Sweden, and that they were no longer a suitable role model for their children.

Exploring Fathers’ Role in Breastfeeding Practices in the Urban and Semiurban Settings of Karachi, Pakistan

“…These were consistent among the fathers from both urban and semiurban settings. All the fathers recognized that while their wives breastfed, they could assist them by changing infants diapers and burping, swaddling, and holding them (Ny et al, 2008;Pisacane et al, 2005;Rempel & Rempel, 2011;Wolfberg et al, 2004). Literature (Kirkland & Fein, 2003;Littler, 1997;McLaughlin & Marascuilo, 1990) also suggests that fathers are instrumental in performing familial roles.…”

“…The most critical support system is the baby's father. Literature review also endorses that among the various supports, a "father's support" for breastfeeding is significant to promote exclusive and optimum breastfeeding practices (Bar-Yam & Darby, 1997;Kirkland & Fein, 2003;Li, Darling, Maurice, Barker, & Grummer-Strawn, 2005;Li, Fridinger, & Grummer-Strawn, 2002;Morisky et al, 2002;Ny, Plantin, Dejin-Karlsson, & Dykes, 2008;Sikorski, Renfrew, Pindoria, & Wade, 2003;Sullivan, Leathers, & Kelley, 2004).…”

“…Authors also affirmed that fathers play a pivotal role because the breastfeeding decision is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon (Bar-Yam & Darby, 1997;International Lactation Consultant Association, 2007;Ny et al, 2008). Those mothers who receive support from their spouses usually opt for exclusive and optimum breastfeeding for their infants, and the chances of continuing this practice are higher (Flacking, Dykes, & Ewald, 2010;Ny et al, 2008;Rempel & Rempel, 2011).…”

“…Those mothers who receive support from their spouses usually opt for exclusive and optimum breastfeeding for their infants, and the chances of continuing this practice are higher (Flacking, Dykes, & Ewald, 2010;Ny et al, 2008;Rempel & Rempel, 2011). Many studies have also revealed that support from fathers is greatly appreciated by mothers (Bar-Yam & Darby, 1997;Kirkland & Fein, 2003;McInnes & Chambers, 2008;McLaughlin & Marascuilo, 1990;Ny et al, 2008;Quinn et al, 2001;Pisacane, Continisio, Aldinucci, D'Amora, & Continisio, 2005;Taveras et al, 2004).…”

Experiences of community health nurses regarding father participation in child health care

“…This was important to make them feel secure in their new role and want to participate in CHC. This is emphasized in several studies (Nyström & Öhrling 2004;Fägerskiöld 2008;Ny et al 2008). However, earlier studies (Baggens 2001, Runeson et al 2002 showed that nurses were used to turning to the mothers in their interviews and counselling and hence often excluded the fathers.…”