Health beliefs and practices related to pregnancy and childcare in Qatar: A qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand health beliefs and practices of Qatari women in the areas of pregnancy and childcare.

Methods:  A qualitative descriptive research design, using focus groups, was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit college age Qatari women from six universities in Qatar. A total of 43 Qatari women participated in this study. NVivo 8 qualitative analysis software was used to analyze the collected data.

Results: A lack of knowledge about pregnancy and childcare was found.  Family, especially mothers, provided education and support to mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth, especially during the 40-day period after childbirth. A strong preference for having a large family and having sons to carry the family name was found. Although the Qatari society is changing, the husband and husband’s family play a role in determining the number of children.

Conclusion: Childbirth and childcare educational sessions are highly needed, in Qatar, but need to be provided in a culturally sensitive manner. Recommendations were elicited from the participants.