Traditional Beliefs in Postpartum Care among Indonesian and Filipino Mothers: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to assess the traditional beliefs and practices in postpartum care among Indonesian and Filipino mothers to propose a program to improve maternal and child health. Methods: The study utilized a descriptive research design to Indonesian mother respondents (n=110) and Filipino mother-respondents (n=119) who were conveniently selected. Traditional beliefs focused on technological factors, religious and philosophical factors, kinship and social factors, cultural values, beliefs, lifestyles, political and legal factors, economic factors, and educational factors were evaluated. Results: On assessing the traditional beliefs in postpartum care, Indonesian mother respondents obtained an overall mean of 2.83 verbally interpreted as agree/true while Filipino mother-respondents yielded an overall mean of 2.99 verbally interpreted as agree/true. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the assessment of Indonesian and Filipino mother respondents on their traditional beliefs in postpartum care in terms of technological factors, kinship, and social factors, cultural values, and educational factors. Conclusions: These findings indicate that traditional practices towards maternal care in the postpartum period are commonplace that have been practiced for generations in countries in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia and the Philippines, although there are different traditional beliefs in postpartum care in aspects of technological factors, kinship and social factors, cultural values, beliefs, and like ways factors, and educational factors.

Keywords

• traditional
• culture
• postnatal care
• cultural diversity
• indonesia
• philippines