Doris Fok1, Izzuddin M Aris2, Jiahui Ho1, Sok Bee Lim3, Mei Chien Chua4, Wei Wei Pang1, Seang-Mei Saw5,6, Kenneth Kwek7, Keith M Godfrey8,9, Michael S Kramer1,10, Yap Seng Chong1,2. 1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore. 2. Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. 3. Department of Child Development, KK Women's & Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore. 4. Department of Neonatology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore. 5. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Tahir Foundation Building, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 6. Myopia Unit, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore. 7. Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore. 8. Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton, UK. 9. NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK. 10. Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Confinement (restrictions placed on diet and practices during the month right after delivery) represents a key feature of Asian populations. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on ethnic differences in confinement practices. This study assesses the confinement practices of three ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic Asian population. METHODS: Participants were part of a prospective birth cohort study that recruited 1,247 pregnant women (57.2% Chinese, 25.5% Malay, and 17.3% Indian) during their first trimester. The 1,220 participants were followed up 3 weeks postpartum at home when questionnaires were administered to ascertain the frequency of adherence to the following confinement practices: showering; confinement-specific meals; going out with or without the baby; choice of caregiver assistance; and the use of massage therapy. RESULTS: Most participants reported that they followed confinement practices during the first 3 weeks postpartum (Chinese: 96.4%, Malay: 92.4%, Indian: 85.6%). Chinese and Indian mothers tended to eat more special confinement diets than Malay mothers (p < 0.001), and Chinese mothers showered less and were more likely to depend on confinement nannies during this period than mothers from the two other ethnic groups (p < 0.001 for all). Malay mothers tended to make greater use of massage therapy (p < 0.001), whilst Indian mothers tended to have their mothers or mothers-in-law as assistant caregivers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most Singapore mothers follow confinement practices, but the three Asian ethnic groups differed in specific confinement practices. Future studies should examine whether ethnic differences persist in later childrearing practices.
BACKGROUND: Confinement (restrictions placed on diet and practices during the month right after delivery) represents a key feature of Asian populations. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on ethnic differences in confinement practices. This study assesses the confinement practices of three ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic Asian population. METHODS: Participants were part of a prospective birth cohort study that recruited 1,247 pregnant women (57.2% Chinese, 25.5% Malay, and 17.3% Indian) during their first trimester. The 1,220 participants were followed up 3 weeks postpartum at home when questionnaires were administered to ascertain the frequency of adherence to the following confinement practices: showering; confinement-specific meals; going out with or without the baby; choice of caregiver assistance; and the use of massage therapy. RESULTS: Most participants reported that they followed confinement practices during the first 3 weeks postpartum (Chinese: 96.4%, Malay: 92.4%, Indian: 85.6%). Chinese and Indian mothers tended to eat more special confinement diets than Malay mothers (p < 0.001), and Chinese mothers showered less and were more likely to depend on confinement nannies during this period than mothers from the two other ethnic groups (p < 0.001 for all). Malay mothers tended to make greater use of massage therapy (p < 0.001), whilst Indian mothers tended to have their mothers or mothers-in-law as assistant caregivers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most Singapore mothers follow confinement practices, but the three Asian ethnic groups differed in specific confinement practices. Future studies should examine whether ethnic differences persist in later childrearing practices.
Authors: H Barennes; C Simmala; P Odermatt; T Thaybouavone; J Vallee; B Martinez-Aussel; B Martinez-Ussel; P N Newton; M Strobel Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2007-11-14 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Sharon Hanna Sunny; Rahul Malhotra; Seng Bin Ang; C S Daniel Lim; Y S Andrew Tan; Y M Benjy Soh; X Y Cassandra Ho; Martyn Gostelow; L P Marianne Tsang; S H Smily Lock; Suat Yee Kwek; Y T Jana Lim; Kayshini Vijakumar; Ngiap Chuan Tan Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2020-08-28 Impact factor: 5.555