Creating a supportive environment for Indo-Canadian women.
For Indo-Canadian women, pregnancy and delivery can be very difficult because of the women's lack of knowledge of Western medical procedures and techniques. Young women who have recently immigrated are particularly likely to experience some trauma, for their lack of information is compounded by a lack of social support. Many of these young women have immigrated to enter into an arranged marriage, where the husband and his family are relative strangers. When the young woman becomes pregnant, she may experience considerable stress because of the adjustments she is required to make-to a new language, culture, husband and in-law family as well as to the physical changes associated with pregnancy. Her situation is also significantly affected by the traditional role of the young wife in Indian culture: As the junior woman in the family, she has the lowest status.
Dhari
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R
Vancouver Health Board, West-Main Unit.
Patel
I
I
Fryer
M
M
Dhari
M
M
Bilku
S
S
Bains
S
S
D002170:Canada; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D016746:Transcultural Nursing