YOUNG MUMS & ANTENATAL EDUCATION

How do we engage them in a culturally safe way?

Cultural Safety

Quality Care From different ethnicities Within cultural norms & values of the

patient

Concept developed in New Zealand

“An individuals cultural background will impact how one best learns and

integrates new information” (Berman, 2006)

Reasons for non attendance

Feeling judged, by older mums & Health Professionals

Feeling bored Feeling ‘labelled’ Sounded just like ‘school’ The word ‘ante’ sounded negative Transport difficulties Not given same service as older mums

Often they describe Health Professionals “do stuff to them”

They are not given informed choice They feel they get a substandard service They have mums at home, yet they feel

they are being ‘parented’ through the maternity system.

Could this influence their choice as to whether they attend antenatal classes?

Being Culturally safe

Carefully worded advertising to avoid classes sounding authoritarian or like

school

What words can we use?

“Being part of a ‘Young Mums’ club matters to young pregnant women emphasising the importance of peer group support”

(Howie & Carlisle, 2005)

Drop in sessions

They often problem share They often work together for solutions Oral sharing of information within safe

environment Enjoy the informal format They are in control of the sessions

Learning needs

“Prenatal education programs are often designed and infused with content from the viewpoint of the health professional.

Yet providers and receivers are vastly different in their views” (Berman, 2006)

Empowerment Opportunity

Allow them to decide on the subjects they want to cover

“Classes are of limited reach” (Renkert & Nutbeam, 2001)

So alternate channels for delivery should be explored and tested

Change of facilitation

Develop ‘young mums’ clubs Develop sessions from early pregnancy Provide ‘drop in sessions’ Tie in antenatal appointments with

‘young mums’ club Look at text messaging Facebook YouTube Blogging & Email

Final Fact

"Studies show that teen pregnancy drops off significantly after the age of 25“

Ref: Colorado Springs local newspaper (1999)