Reni Soon1, Jennifer Elia2, Nina Beckwith3, Bliss Kaneshiro4, Timothy Dye5. 1. Assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. rsoon@hawaii.edu. 2. Junior researcher, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. 3. Medical student, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. 4. Associate professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. 5. Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Native Hawaiians experience the highest reported rate of unintended pregnancy of any ethnic group in Hawaii. Understanding the context in which they make decisions that influence pregnancy and pregnancy planning is essential to reducing this rate. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in partnership with a community health center serving a large Native Hawaiian population to explore how Native Hawaiians conceptualize pregnancy and pregnancy planning. Between August and October 2013, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 diverse key informants from the Hawaiian community. Content analysis was used to identify themes and patterns that emerged from the interviews. RESULTS: Core Hawaiian values of children and family strongly affect how Native Hawaiians view pregnancy, pregnancy planning and unintended pregnancies. 'Ohana (families) are large and characterized by tremendous support, which is perceived to lessen the burden of an unintended pregnancy. Pregnancies, whether planned or not, are seen as blessings because children are highly valued. Because of these concepts, there is an expectation for women to continue unplanned pregnancies. Although Hawaiians ascribe value to planning pregnancies and hope that children are born under what they identify as ideal circumstances, they acknowledge that these circumstances are not necessary and often do not occur. CONCLUSION: The concepts of family and children serve as core values to Native Hawaiians and are linked to the ways in which they view pregnancy and pregnancy planning.
CONTEXT: Native Hawaiians experience the highest reported rate of unintended pregnancy of any ethnic group in Hawaii. Understanding the context in which they make decisions that influence pregnancy and pregnancy planning is essential to reducing this rate. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in partnership with a community health center serving a large Native Hawaiian population to explore how Native Hawaiians conceptualize pregnancy and pregnancy planning. Between August and October 2013, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 diverse key informants from the Hawaiian community. Content analysis was used to identify themes and patterns that emerged from the interviews. RESULTS: Core Hawaiian values of children and family strongly affect how Native Hawaiians view pregnancy, pregnancy planning and unintended pregnancies. 'Ohana (families) are large and characterized by tremendous support, which is perceived to lessen the burden of an unintended pregnancy. Pregnancies, whether planned or not, are seen as blessings because children are highly valued. Because of these concepts, there is an expectation for women to continue unplanned pregnancies. Although Hawaiians ascribe value to planning pregnancies and hope that children are born under what they identify as ideal circumstances, they acknowledge that these circumstances are not necessary and often do not occur. CONCLUSION: The concepts of family and children serve as core values to Native Hawaiians and are linked to the ways in which they view pregnancy and pregnancy planning.
Authors: Sonya Borrero; Cara Nikolajski; Julia R Steinberg; Lori Freedman; Aletha Y Akers; Said Ibrahim; Eleanor Bimla Schwarz Journal: Contraception Date: 2014-10-22 Impact factor: 3.375
Authors: Chai Bin Park; Kathryn L Braun; Brian Y Horiuchi; Caryn Tottori; Alvin T Onaka Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2009 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Elena Giacci; Kee J E Straits; Amanda Gelman; Summer Miller-Walfish; Rosemary Iwuanyanwu; Elizabeth Miller Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2021-11-05 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Tetine Sentell; Saionara Maria Aires da Câmara; Alban Ylli; Maria P Velez; Marlos R Domingues; Diego G Bassani; Mary Guo; Catherine M Pirkle Journal: South East Eur J Public Health Date: 2019-04-30