The culture of caring for low birth weight infants at home after treatment:
An ethnographic study from Indonesia

The culture of caring for low birth weight infants at home after treatment:
An ethnographic study from Indonesia

culture; home care; low birth weight infant; mother

Background: Caring for low birth weight (LBW) babies is a challenge for
parents, especially after being discharged from the hospital, to continue the
care provided by professional nurses. Culture can influence how parents
behave and decide to keep babies healthy.
Purpose: This study examined the culture that influences mothers in Aceh,
Indonesia, to care for LBW infants at home following hospital treatment.
Methods: This study used an ethnographic design that involved ten
participants consisting of mothers who had an LBW infant after receiving
hospital care, a grandmother, a midwife, and health cadres. The data were
collected using focus group discussion (FGD). FGDs were audio-recorded,
transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The finding revealed three themes associated with cultural practices
influencing mothers to care for LBW infants at home following treatment:
(1) mothers are not the only caregivers, (2) traditions to safeguard family
members, and (3) the dilemma between obeying medical advice or their
grandmother’s commands.
Conclusion: Culture substantially impacts a mother’s decision-making,
mainly when she and her infant are ill. For traditions and health advice to
coexist, sufficient support is required.

Sri Intan Rahayuningsih12* , Yeni Rustina3 , Yati Afiyanti3 , Tris
Eryando4

http://jkp.fkep.unpad.ac.id/index.
php/jkp

: April 30, 2024

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