Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Higher Degree Research Students/Alumni Profiles

Dr Vicki Tsianakas

PhD Thesis, completed in 2005

Women and Childbearing In Afghanistan And Australia: A Comparative Study On Migration And Transition

This study explored the question: "What is the lived experience of childbearing, as described by first generation Afghan immigrant women in Australia?" Twenty five first generation Afghan immigrant women from diverse ethnic and linguistic groups, and geographic regions within Afghanistan participated in the study. A qualitative methodology was adopted, informed by phenomenology and symbolic interactionism as its theoretical underpinnings. Data were collected by in-depth interviewing and participant observation.The phenomenon of childbearing was explored in terms of the constitutive phenomena of pregnancy, childbirth, confinement, motherhood and infant feeding. The descriptive statements which captured the meaning of these phenomena were 'safe, but supported', 'difficult, but safe', 'recovery and affirmation', 'selfless hard work' and 'health and practicality', respectively. The 'statement of identification' which captured the meaning of the childbearing experience for the Afghan woman was: 'A difficult journey made with faith and optimism'. 'Difficulty' related to isolation, lack of English, inability to perform traditional practices and a lack of awareness among health care providers about traditional Afghan and Islamic practices; 'faith' related to the ever present solace of the women's Islamic belief system and the practices it generated; 'optimism' related to the belief in the safety of the Australian health care system and the opportunities the country was seen to offer their children.

The findings of the study complement and, in some areas, challenge the conceptions of the childbirth experience identified in extant cross-cultural studies. The findings indicate that Afghan immigrant women's childbearing experiences in Australia are diverse and multi-faceted. This diversity has important implications for health care providers. If culturally sensitive services are to be provided, health care providers need to become aware and appreciate the differences between and within all cultural groups. In order to create this awareness, local health education community groups could be established to facilitate an exchange of ideas between health care providers and childbearing women. Self help groups for Afghan immigrant women could also possibly assist with the establishment of support networks and increase their knowledge about the Australian health care system.