Culture and maternity care in Kazakhstan: what new mothers expected
Craig, B.J.; Kabylbekova, Z.
Health Care for Women International 36(1): 41-56
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0739-9332 PMID: 25061881 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.942904Document Number: 626468
Maternity care in the developing nation of Kazakhstan has been characterized as low in quality, with mothers having low levels of health knowledge. Some nongovernmental organizations have been offering childbirth preparation courses to address the lack of knowledge and encourage participation and decision making among expecting mothers. The participants of this study, however, report that information is more for preparation than for decision making, and that the relational aspects of their care, namely, emotional support and trust, are most important. This emphasis reflects the cultural and historical influences that need to be considered when adopting foreign models of care and health education.