Beliefs and Cultural Behaviors in Iranian Postpartum Women after Childbirth: An Exploratory Study in Qom, Iran

Abstract

Abstract Background: Women during pregnancy and childbirth experience different customs, which are different across nations and cultures. Cultural differences can be seen in the birth and postpartum periods, where some traditional practices are used to protect postpartum women and their newborns. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the cultural beliefs and practices of postpartum women. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 217 mothers referred to Qom Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Qom. The subject’s data were collected 4 weeks after delivery for up to 1 year. Data collection was conducted by a two-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and general behaviors in five categories: general, maternal, nutrition, and infant-related behaviors and beliefs regarding the infant. Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi-square, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 217 mothers referred to Qom Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital were included in the study. The results show that the average age of participants was 29.8 ± 6.71 years. The highest mean score among different of postpartum behaviors was obtained for beliefs regarding infant and nutritional beliefs as 42.7 ± 7.19 and 33.4 ± 8, respectively. The multivariate regression showed that Persian ethnicity has a positive relationship with behaviors related to cultural beliefs (b = 0.203, P = 0.002) and living in urban areas was related to a higher score of behaviors related to cultural beliefs (b = 0.172, P = 0.010). Conclusion: Cultural and traditional postpartum beliefs and practices are common among postpartum women in Iran. To change postpartum behaviors, identification of beliefs and practices is necessary first to correct the unhealthy beliefs to achieve women’s health in the postpartum period.