A Comparison of Practices During the Confinement Period among Chinese, Malay, and Indian Mothers in Singapore. Issue 3 (27th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fok, Doris; Aris, Izzuddin M.; Ho, Jiahui; Lim, Sok Bee; Chua, Mei Chien; Pang, Wei Wei; Saw, Seang‐Mei; Kwek, Kenneth; Godfrey, Keith M.; Kramer, Michael S.; Chong, Yap Seng
• Other Names: Agarwal Pratibha investigator.; Biswas Arijit investigator.; Bong Choon Looi investigator.; Broekman Birit FP investigator.; Cai Shirong investigator.; Chan Jerry Kok Yen investigator.; Chan Yiong Huak investigator.; Chen Helen Y. H investigator.; Cheung Yin Bun investigator.; Chia Audrey investigator.; Chinnadurai Amutha investigator.; Chng Chai Kiat investigator.; Chong Mary Foong‐Fong investigator.; Chong Shang Chee investigator.; Ding Chun Ming investigator.; Finkelstein Eric Andrew investigator.; Fortier Marielle V. investigator.; Goh Anne Eng Neo investigator.; Goh Yam Thiam Daniel investigator.; Gooley Joshua J. investigator.; Han Wee Meng investigator.; Hanson Mark investigator.; Henry Christiani Jeyakumar investigator.; Holbrook Joanna D. investigator.; Hsu Chin‐Ying investigator.; Inskip Hazel investigator.; Kapur Jeevesh investigator.; Lau Ivy Yee‐Man investigator.; Lee Bee Wah investigator.; Lee Yung Seng investigator.; Lek Ngee investigator.; Low Yen‐Ling investigator.; Magiati Iliana investigator.; Daniel Lourdes Mary investigator.; Meaney Michael investigator.; Ngo Cheryl investigator.; Naiduvaje Krishnamoorthy investigator.; Qiu Anqi investigator.; Quah Boon Long investigator.; Rajadurai Victor Samuel investigator.; Rauff Mary investigator.; Rebello Salome A. investigator.; Richmond Jenny L. investigator.; Rifkin‐Graboi Anne investigator.; Shek Lynette Pei‐Chi investigator.; Sheppard Allan investigator.; Shuter Borys investigator.; Singh Leher investigator.; Stunkel Walter investigator.; Su Lin Lin investigator.; Tan Kok Hian investigator.; Teoh Oon Hoe investigator.; Tint Mya Thway investigator.; van Bever Hugo P S investigator.; Wong Inez Bik Yun investigator.; Wong P. C. investigator.; Yap Fabian investigator.; Yeo George Seow Heong investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Birth. Volume 43:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 247
• Page End: 254
• Publication Date: 2016-03-27
• Subjects: Asian population -- birth‐cohort -- confinement practices -- postpartum; Childbirth -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Natural childbirth -- Periodicals; 618.1
• DOI: 10.1111/birt.12233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-7659

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Confinement (restrictions placed on diet and practices during the month right after delivery) represents a key feature of Asian populations. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on ethnic differences in confinement practices. This study assesses the confinement practices of three ethnic groups in a multi‐ethnic Asian population. Methods: Participants were part of a prospective birth cohort study that recruited 1, 247 pregnant women (57.2% Chinese, 25.5% Malay, and 17.3% Indian) during their first trimester. The 1, 220 participants were followed up 3 weeks postpartum at home when questionnaires were administered to ascertain the frequency of adherence to the following confinement practices: showering; confinement‐specific meals; going out with or without the baby; choice of caregiver assistance; and the use of massage therapy. Results: Most participants reported that they followed confinement practices during the first 3 weeks postpartum (Chinese: 96.4%, Malay: 92.4%, Indian: 85.6%). Chinese and Indian mothers tended to eat more special confinement diets than Malay mothers ( p < 0.001), and Chinese mothers showered less and were more likely to depend on confinement nannies during this period than mothers from the two other ethnic groups ( p < 0.001 for all). Malay mothers tended to make greater use of massage therapy ( p < 0.001), whilst Indian mothers tended to have their mothers or mothers‐in‐law as assistant caregivers ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Most Singapore mothers follow confinement practices, but the three Asian ethnic groups differed in specific confinement practices. Future studies should examine whether ethnic differences persist in later childrearing practices.