Key considerations: cultural profiles

It is important for maternal health providers to note the following:

• Within each cultural group there are many sub cultures and it is important not to stereotype but to assess the individual woman’s cultural preferences and needs.
• Show respect for women’s health beliefs and practices. Women and their families regard their maternity service providers’ knowledge, inquiry, and non-judgmental acceptance of their beliefs and practices as providing competent and effective care for them and their family.
• Provide a qualified health interpreter. The use of qualified interpreters, rather than family members is strongly recommended. The use of children as interpreters for parents makes adults uncomfortable and disrupts intergenerational family dynamics. Family members’ knowledge of English may not include all necessary medical terminology.
• Extend respect to family members as people who can provide additional information and improve communication with the woman.
• Do not assume, but ask and discuss with the woman whether she wishes to involve her family members in consultations about her care or treatment.
• Be aware of the woman and her families personal situation and direct them to social/cultural support services such as housing assistance, income support and social assistance where needed.
• Be aware when undertaking psycho-social assessment that there may be a strong tendency in traditional societies to somatise social and psychological problems such as perinatal maternal mental health problems.
• Provide prompt communication about test results.
• Provide translated health education materials and written instructions about prescribed medication through the interpreter.
• Encourage women and their partners/families to ask questions.