Better pregnancy outcome among the Hispanics
Introduction
Hispanics that have settled in the U.S. tend to have harsher jobs with lower income, are poorer, and are not educated compared to other non-Hispanic whites, yet their health outcomes are far much better than that of non-Hispanic whites (Johnson-Motoyama, et al. 2014). This phenomenon is called ‘Hispanic paradox’, which is an interesting topic to study. In conjunction with this fact, Shaw and Pickett (2013) claim that it is known that the infant mortality rate and low birth weight (LBW) among the Hispanics compared to other non-Hispanic whites. As a result, it is essential to evaluate the prime reasons for such outcomes by attempting to answer questions such as the perinatal care for Hispanic women and the role that their cultural beliefs and activities play in facilitating such results. As such, the aim of this paper is to assess the factors that contribute better pregnancy outcomes for the Hispanics unlike other non-Hispanic whites in the U.S.
From 2014 to 2015 the nations Hispanic population grew about 1.2 million through immigration, nearly half of 2.5 million people who immigrated to the U.S. within that year (Census Bureau, 2015). 2012 data shows Hispanics total fertility rate is 2.4, compared to non-Hispanic White’s fertility rate of 1.8 (Passel, Livingston, & Cohn, 2012). As a consequence, it is projected that by 2050, the Hispanic population in the America will have doubled following the increased positive pregnancy outcomes among this population (Shaw & Pickett, 2013). This trend follows a variety of factors that have increasingly boosted the number of the Hispanics in the US. Migration of healthy women, accessibility of kin network, and promotion and adherence to the rich cultural practices (Shaw & Pickett, 2013). However, it is important to evaluate the exact factors that contribute to the increased positive outcome for the Hispanic pregnant mothers. The ability to assess these factors helps in answering why Hispanic paradox persist in the US.
Cultural practices play a vital role in explaining why Hispanic paradox persist in America. It is salient that maternal mothers from Hispanic do not smoke during the pregnancy period. This according to Shaw and Pickett (2013) follows a sharp reduction of smoking of all Hispanic ethics; thus accounting for the increased Hispanic density. Another factor that has a positive impact on the birth weight is safety and exposure to violence (Shaw & Pickett, 2013). This also relates to the smoking and infant mortality of the Hispanic mothers. Hispanic people are vibrant and hospitable, which has the ability to make people around them feel safer. This is a key factor that determines the fact that living in areas with Hispanic density increases the gestational period and reduces the risk of infant mortality. Hispanic density is essential in yielding these positive outcomes the way Hispanics embrace their culture that support healthier behaviors.
Hispanic women receive better prenatal care during the pregnancy period. Robertson, Aycock and Darnell (2008) introduce the idea of centering pregnancy model (CPM) used by most of the Hispanic maternal mothers to promote positive pregnancy outcomes. Similar to the traditional practices, pregnant women using the CPM attend a session that includes activities such as didactic components, group discussions, and risk assessment. These activities tend to promote prenatal care by encouraging self-responsibility during the sessions (Robertson, Aycock & Darnell, 2008). Moreover, these sessions enhance the ability to solve problems faced by the pregnant women where members attempt to combine their efforts and provide a solution for the problems facing these women. In addition, intensive risk assessment is done during the sessions of CPM where their weight, gestational age, and blood pressure are recorded. Integration of both traditional practices and the CPM justifies the fact that LBW and infant mortality rates are lower among the Hispanics. During the CPM and traditional visitation, Hispanic women gain more knowledge about pregnancy and effective practices that can yield more positive results. This is a key factor influencing the outcome of pregnancy following the adjustments of the sessions depending on the results of the previous sessions; thus facilitating effective decision-making process for the pregnant women such as breastfeeding patterns.
Breastfeeding is yet another practice that helps in maintain a higher birth weight and a lower immortality rate of the Hispanics. Faraz (2009) claims that breastfeeding is vital to the infant growth; thus infants should be breastfed for at least six months. There are a number of benefits of breastfeeding an infant. The first advantage is the provision of outstanding nutrients to the infant such as vitamins (Faraz, 2009). The colostrum in the breastmilk is important in providing immunological protection to the infant from diseases such as respiratory diseases, obesity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. By reducing these benefits, the infant mortality rate is directly reduced. As a result, this obstetric practice is a key determinant of why Hispanic paradox persists. Breastfeeding rates have increased following the accrued benefits of the practice with non-Hispanic whites having 76% while Hispanic whites have 81% in the America. It is prevalent that Hispanics tend to prolong the breastfeeding period; thus reducing overweight rates among the children. According to Faraz (2009), this practice is important to the Hispanics in reducing the obesity rates among children as well as helps in fighting ovarian cancer for the women.
The uniqueness of the Hispanic in their perception of breastfeeding varies in many ways. According to Gill (2009), there exist some differences of the breastfeeding intention among the Hispanics. The majority of the Hispanics (63%) who tend to decide their breastfeeding practices before pregnancy while 26% decide their breastfeeding practices during pregnancy. Hispanic women who have migrated to the America have a tendency to breastfeed their infants for a long time while those born in America tend to rely or compare their breastfeeding practices and time to the foreign-born Hispanic women. It is also a common practice for the Hispanic women to combine both breastfeeding and feeding formula in the attempt of reducing the breastfeeding duration while supplementing the nutrients found in the breastmilk. This is important for the fussy infants for them to be chubby which is as being healthy (Gill, 2009).
However, it is important to note that breastfeeding decision among the Hispanics depends on their knowledge of the practice together with its benefits. Gill (2009) add that clear and consistent information should be availed to the women in the attempt of promoting breastfeeding during prenatal appointments. This has resulted in the increased use of breastfeeding and formula feeding among the Hispanics as a way of improving the state of an infant, which according to Gill (2009) increases the weight of the infant. Nevertheless, the decision to breastfeed and use formula feeding depend on the perception that one’s friends and families have rather than depending on the professional advice (Faraz, 2009). Another influential factor behind the breastfeeding decision is acculturation of the American culture. Acculturation, in this case, is presented to have a direct impact in the way one breastfeeds the infant. Disparities persist between less and more acculturation of the Hispanic women.
As such, for the continued support on breastfeeding, two major maternal concerns need to be looked for. First, is the convenience of breastfeeding and second is the practicality of breastfeeding. To achieve the two objectives, a conducive environment should be provided for the mother through the provision of the appropriate resources to support the practice. To meet the advantages of breastfeeding for both the infant and the mother, the Hispanic Society right from the families, researchers, hospital workers, and community works together to achieve these goals. In this case, Gill (2009) argues that an assessment should be done to evaluate the knowledge level of the mother concerning breastfeeding. This is important in determining the relevant information that will be provided to them to avoid potential barriers and common myths associated with breastfeeding. This necessitates an understanding of specific beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Hispanic women to facilitate tailoring of the appropriate interventions aimed at supporting breastfeeding practice.
In conclusion, Hispanic maternal mothers are renowned for their positive pregnancy outcomes. Hispanic mother is more likely to be acculturated and; thus, it is easier for them to adapt to their culture. The study has shown that Hispanic density is linked to the lower risk of infant mortality rate and LWB. This trend has been witnessed following the cultural behaviors that are prevalence to the Hispanics, unlike other non-Hispanic whites. Smoking is one of these factors, which is accounts for the higher birth weight of infants as it is discouraged among the Hispanics. Maintaining contact with families, friends, and community is yet another factor that accounts for the positive pregnancy outcomes. Through traditional practices and CPM, problems facing pregnant women are solved while risk assessment is easily carried. Breastfeeding is another factor that enhances positive pregnancy outcome following the accrued benefits of this practice. The CPM and traditional practices offer knowledge of the best breastfeeding practices and decisions that promote the positive pregnancy outcomes.
References
Faraz, A. (2010). Clinical recommendations for promoting breastfeeding among Hispanic women. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22(6), 292-299.
Gill, S. (2009). Breastfeeding by Hispanic Women. Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 38(2), 244-252
Johnson-Motoyama, M., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Dettlaff, A., Zhao, K., Finno-Velasquez, M., & Needell, B. (2014). Disparities in Reported and Substantiated Infant Maltreatment by Maternal Hispanic Origin and Nativity: A Birth Cohort Study. Maternal And Child Health Journal, 19(5), 958-968.
Passel, J. S., Livingston, G., & Cohn, D. (2012). Explaining Why Minority Births Now Outnumber White Births. Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/05/17/explaining-why-minority-births-now-outnumber-white-births/
Robertson, B., Aycock, D.M., Darnell, L.A., (2009). Comparison of Centering Pregnancy to Traditional Care in Hispanic Mothers. Maternal Children Health Journal, 13, 407-417.
Shaw, R.J., & Pickett, K.E., (2013). The Health Benefits of Hispanic Communities for Non-Hispanic Mothers and Infants: Another Hispanic Paradox. American Journal of Public Health 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300985
