Abstract
BackgroundMany socioecological and structural factors affect women’s diets, physical activity, and her access and receptivity to perinatal care. We sought to explore women’s and providers’ perceptions and experiences of health in the pre- and post-natal period while facing difficult life circumstances, and accessing a community-based program partially funded by Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) in Alberta, Canada.MethodsFollowing the principles of community-based participatory research, we conducted a focused ethnography that involved five focus groups with women (28 in total), eight one-on-one interviews with program providers, and observations of program activities. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis to inductively derive codes and categories.ResultsWomen perceived eating healthy foods, taking prenatal vitamins, and being physically active as key health behaviours during pregnancy and postpartum. However, they were commonly coping with many difficult life circumstances, and faced health barriers for themselves and their babies. These barriers included pregnancy or birth complications, family and spousal issues, financial difficulties, and living rurally. On the other hand, women and providers identified many aspects of the community-based program that addressed the burden of adversities as enablers to better health during pregnancy and postpartum.ConclusionCommunity-based programs have an important role in alleviating some of the burden of coping with difficult life circumstances for women. With such potential, community-based programs need to be well supported through policies. Policies supporting these programs, and ensuring adequate funding, can enable more equitable services to rural women and truly promote maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum.
Highlights
Many socioecological and structural factors affect women’s diets, physical activity, and her access and receptivity to perinatal care
In Canada, women who are coping with difficult life circumstances [11] and become pregnant can access programs offered through the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) during pregnancy and up to 6 months postpartum
CPNP programs are supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in conjunction with provincial/territorial governments and community-based organizations as appropriate, and focus on maternal/child nutrition and health of pregnant and postpartum women facing difficult life circumstances
Summary
Many socioecological and structural factors affect women’s diets, physical activity, and her access and receptivity to perinatal care. We sought to explore women’s and providers’ perceptions and experiences of health in the pre- and post-natal period while facing difficult life circumstances, and accessing a community-based program partially funded by Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) in Alberta, Canada. In Canada, women who are coping with difficult life circumstances (low income, teen pregnancy, social and geographic isolation, substance use, family violence, and recent immigration) [11] and become pregnant can access programs offered through the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) during pregnancy and up to 6 months postpartum. CPNP programs are supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in conjunction with provincial/territorial governments and community-based organizations as appropriate, and focus on maternal/child nutrition and health of pregnant and postpartum women facing difficult life circumstances. There are approximately 276 CPNP programs providing support to ~ 51,000 women across Canada, with 21 programs in rural and urban areas of Alberta [13]
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