Doing the month: rickets and post-partum convalescence in rural China.
OBJECTIVE
to analyse the health beliefs underlying the Chinese custom of 'doing the month', in particular mothers' perceptions of rickets.


METHODS
a qualitative approach was used. Four focus group discussions were tape recorded. Translated transcripts were analysed and coded.


METHODS
Yuci District, rural Shanxi Province, China.


METHODS
eighteen young mothers with children aged between 12 and 24 months, five grandmothers aged between 48 and 55 years, five township clinic maternal and child health workers, and seven traditional medicine doctors.


RESULTS
Zuo yuezi (doing the month) is accepted by Chinese mothers as a time of respite and physical recovery. It is also burdensome to mothers, as cloistering indoors compromises both mother and baby's exposure to the sun, resulting in vitamin D deficiency and rickets.


CONCLUSIONS
in order to reduce the rates of rickets in children, it is important to promote a more balanced and health-enhancing form of zuo yuezi that maintains necessary vitamin D status of both the mother and her baby. By understanding this custom, medical professionals caring for pregnant and post-partum Chinese women in Western countries will be able to better serve their health needs.
Strand
Mark A
MA
North Dakota State University, USA. MARKSTRAND3@aol.com
Perry
Judith
J
Guo
Jinzhi
J
Zhao
Jinping
J
Janes
Craig
C
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002681:China; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000208:ethnology*; D012279:Rickets / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012424:Rural Population; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*