Post-partum needs and lived experiences of the young and first time mothers in Mwanza City, Northwestern Tanzania
Esther Yona Shija [Female]
Post-partum needs and lived experiences of the young and first time mothers in Mwanza City, Northwestern Tanzania - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] : 2022 - xiii; 108 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: Post-partum period, which is a period of six weeks after child birth, is said to be the most challenging period for a mother and the family, women are vulnerable to health problems that are directly related to child birth and to compromised self-care. Young and firsttime mothers experience a transition to parenthood which is thought to be stressful and challenging to cope with, as well as poor emotional wellbeing. Several studies have been conducted but social support and lived experiences are not well documented. This study explored the needs and lived experiences of the young and first-time mothers from two districts of Mwanza city, Ilemela and Nyamagana districts.
Method: The present study involved women of reproductive age who are first time mothers (irrespective of their age) as well as young mothers (i.e., individual mothers below the age of 20 years, irrespective of the parity status) in Nyamagana and Ilemela Districts in Mwanza region. Participants recruited from May to July, 2022. Women’s experiences and needs were explored using In-depth interviews and focus group discussions using phenomenology approach of qualitative design. Data transcribed verbatim, translated, categorized, and coded. Data analyzed by using NVIvo 12 Computers Software.
Results: Most of the respondents were mothers who was their first time to experience the postpartum period (77.8%). Most of the participants in this study explore that post-partum period for the young and first-time mothers is a very stressfully period for a mother who is assuming for the new roles and responsibilities. Mothers have essential basic needs after delivery and moreover they face both positive and negative experiences. Lack of information on motherhood and afterbirth care emerged - I would have liked if someone would have had talked to me before. Psychosocial health emerged to be a neglected public health problem.
Discussion: Some needs of the first time mothers are met while others remain unmet. Good relation, overstretched health system and sleeplessness at night seem to be different from Mwanza. While stress and depression, Isolation, increase in needs, Pride and happiness seem to be similar for most mothers in all parts of the world.
Conclusion: Individuals first time and young mothers transition into motherhood roles, reestablishment of relationships, and the struggle to meet physical and emotional needs of her infant and other family member’s calls for public health attention. The lived experiences among first time and young mothers could be of vital importance to future mothers as a lesson learnt.
= LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONOMY AMA Advanced Maternal Age AME Antenatal Milk Expression ANC Antenatal Clinics BMC Bugando Medical Centre CUHAS Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences FGDs Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) IDIs In-Depth Interviews LMICs Low- and Middle-Income Countries TDHS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey TDHS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey TDHS-MIS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey WHO World Health Organization OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS First time mothers: Throughout this study, it is referred to as individual women who have attained motherhood status for the first time, irrespective of the number of previous pregnancy (gravidity) status. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS Positive or negative lived experiences: it is depiction of a persons’ experiences and decision, as well as the knowledge gained from these experiences and choices. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS Young mothers: In this study, young mothers have been referred to as individual women who have given birth to a child at an age of below 20 years irrespective of parity as defined by World Health Organization will be considered for this study. Standard definition Post-partum: Throughout this study, we refer to the first six weeks following child birth. It is important to understand that, this is the most critical and yet the most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and babies; and most maternal and newborn deaths occur during this period. Key Words: Young mothers, first time mothers, lived experiences, post-partum, antenatal care, postpartum care
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386 Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz Website: www.bugando.ac.tz
-- Public Health --Community Medicine
Post-partum needs and lived experiences of the young and first time mothers in Mwanza City, Northwestern Tanzania - Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] : 2022 - xiii; 108 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
Background: Post-partum period, which is a period of six weeks after child birth, is said to be the most challenging period for a mother and the family, women are vulnerable to health problems that are directly related to child birth and to compromised self-care. Young and firsttime mothers experience a transition to parenthood which is thought to be stressful and challenging to cope with, as well as poor emotional wellbeing. Several studies have been conducted but social support and lived experiences are not well documented. This study explored the needs and lived experiences of the young and first-time mothers from two districts of Mwanza city, Ilemela and Nyamagana districts.
Method: The present study involved women of reproductive age who are first time mothers (irrespective of their age) as well as young mothers (i.e., individual mothers below the age of 20 years, irrespective of the parity status) in Nyamagana and Ilemela Districts in Mwanza region. Participants recruited from May to July, 2022. Women’s experiences and needs were explored using In-depth interviews and focus group discussions using phenomenology approach of qualitative design. Data transcribed verbatim, translated, categorized, and coded. Data analyzed by using NVIvo 12 Computers Software.
Results: Most of the respondents were mothers who was their first time to experience the postpartum period (77.8%). Most of the participants in this study explore that post-partum period for the young and first-time mothers is a very stressfully period for a mother who is assuming for the new roles and responsibilities. Mothers have essential basic needs after delivery and moreover they face both positive and negative experiences. Lack of information on motherhood and afterbirth care emerged - I would have liked if someone would have had talked to me before. Psychosocial health emerged to be a neglected public health problem.
Discussion: Some needs of the first time mothers are met while others remain unmet. Good relation, overstretched health system and sleeplessness at night seem to be different from Mwanza. While stress and depression, Isolation, increase in needs, Pride and happiness seem to be similar for most mothers in all parts of the world.
Conclusion: Individuals first time and young mothers transition into motherhood roles, reestablishment of relationships, and the struggle to meet physical and emotional needs of her infant and other family member’s calls for public health attention. The lived experiences among first time and young mothers could be of vital importance to future mothers as a lesson learnt.
= LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONOMY AMA Advanced Maternal Age AME Antenatal Milk Expression ANC Antenatal Clinics BMC Bugando Medical Centre CUHAS Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences FGDs Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) IDIs In-Depth Interviews LMICs Low- and Middle-Income Countries TDHS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey TDHS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey TDHS-MIS Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey WHO World Health Organization OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS First time mothers: Throughout this study, it is referred to as individual women who have attained motherhood status for the first time, irrespective of the number of previous pregnancy (gravidity) status. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS Positive or negative lived experiences: it is depiction of a persons’ experiences and decision, as well as the knowledge gained from these experiences and choices. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS Young mothers: In this study, young mothers have been referred to as individual women who have given birth to a child at an age of below 20 years irrespective of parity as defined by World Health Organization will be considered for this study. Standard definition Post-partum: Throughout this study, we refer to the first six weeks following child birth. It is important to understand that, this is the most critical and yet the most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and babies; and most maternal and newborn deaths occur during this period. Key Words: Young mothers, first time mothers, lived experiences, post-partum, antenatal care, postpartum care
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386 Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz Website: www.bugando.ac.tz
-- Public Health --Community Medicine