Browsing by Author "Premji, Shahirose Sadrudin J. E."

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    Breastfeeding Practices among Arab Mothers in Calgary with a Focus on Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Qualitative Inquiry
    (2018-11-15) Dorri, Roqaia Ahmad; Donnelly, Tam Truong; Premji, Shahirose Sadrudin J. E.; McKiel, Elaine; Raffin Bouchal, Shelley
    Breastfeeding is university acknowledged as providing health benefits for the child, for breastfeeding mothers, and for the community. The World Health Organization and Health Canada recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life. However, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding practices among immigrant mothers, including Arab mothers residing in Calgary, are lower when compared with rates for non-immigrant Canadian mothers and mothers in the immigrants’ countries of origin. Using critical ethnography, the purpose of this study was to explore the contextual factors that influence initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices by Arab immigrant mothers. Ten Arab mothers residing in Calgary were interviewed. Three of these mothers were interviewed twice for member checking. An analysis of the qualitative narrative data indicated that knowledge, family, religion, and infant feeding practices influence Arab immigrant mothers’ initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices. The findings from this study can be used to facilitate supportive culturally safe and sensitive interventions that are tailored to address Arab mothers’ breastfeeding concerns and needs, so that exclusive breastfeeding might be promoted within this population in Canada. Further, the research will provide information needed for addressing key challenges relating to culture, religion, and the healthcare system with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
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    Examining the Needs and Stress Levels of Fathers with Infants Receiving Neonatal Intensive Care
    (2018-06-13) Botchway, Augusta Korkor; Premji, Shahirose Sadrudin J. E.; Naab, Florence; Marcellus, Lenora; Dela Cruz, Añiela Marie
    Background: Ghanaian fathers are the primary decision-makers in all aspects of the family, including health care. However, the needs and stress levels of fathers whose infants are receiving neonatal intensive care remains largely unknown resulting in limited paternal involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Objectives: The study examined the stress levels and needs of fathers during the hospitalization of their infants in the NICU and whether infant and father characteristics predicts the needs or stress levels of fathers. Method: A cross-sectional study in which eighty fathers completed the Fathers’ Support Scale: NICU and the Parental Stressor Scale: NICU questionnaire together with infant and father demographic information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, hierarchal multiple regression, and correlation. Results: The most important need for fathers in the NICU is support from neonatal nurses to learn more about their baby. Secondly, Ghanaian fathers were stressed by their inability to have a relationship with their baby and assume their parental role during the NICU admission. Lastly, this study indicated that the higher the needs of fathers in the NICU, the higher their stress levels. Conclusion: Ghanaian fathers whose infants are in the NICU experience stress as their needs are not met. Thus, the findings of this study have implications for nursing practice and policy changes such as open visiting and paternity leave that integrate fathers in the care of their infants in the NICU. Further research is warranted on fathers’ needs and stressors in the NICU more specifically on fathers in low-middle-income countries.