Social networking and help-seeking behaviors in relation to the health of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women in Japan

Hiroyo Hatashita; Hitomi Suzuki; Shiho Kawata; Mayumi Mizutani; Takayuki Nishii; Junko Kondo; Denise M Saint Arnault

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Social networking and help-seeking behaviors in relation to the health of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women in Japan

VernacularTitle:在日ブラジル人妊産褥婦の社会関係と心身の健康に関わる援助探索行動
Author: Hiroyo HATASHITA ¹ ; Hitomi SUZUKI ² ; Shiho KAWATA ² ; Mayumi MIZUTANI ³ ; Takayuki NISHII ¹ ; Junko KONDO ¹ ; Denise M. Saint Arnault ⁴
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1. Tokyo Healthcare University, Wakayama Faculty of Nursing
2. Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Department of Nursing
3. Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Course of Nursing
4. University of Michigan, School of Nursing
Keywords: Brazilian pregnant and puerperal women; cross culture; social networking; help-seeking
From:Journal of International Health 2022;37(1):25-33
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Introduction This study aimed to clarify social networking and help seeking behaviors in relation to the health of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women in Japan, using unanalyzed data collected in the article titled “Socio-cultural factors affecting the health of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women in Japan” published in this journal.Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women aged ≥20 years in their homes in Prefectures A and B during 2013-2014. We used the Japanese version of the interview guide based on the cultural determinants of help seeking developed by Arnault. The analysis was guided by analytic ethnography, and core themes were derived.Results The interviews were conducted with 18 women. Their mean age was 32.4 years (5 women in their 20s and 13 women in their 30s). The average length of stay was 12.6 years (6 women: <10 years and 12 women: ≥10 years). Regarding residential status, 12 women were permanent residents. Two categories for social networking were derived: (1) limited social interaction and (2) reliance on family and trusted others. Two categories for help-seeking behaviors were derived: (1) reliance on informal resources close to them and (2) self-reliant problem solving.Conclusions The social networking and help-seeking behaviors of pregnant and puerperal Brazilian women in Japan were related to their way of cultivating relationships in their transnational life as migrant workers. Their behaviors were also related to their perception on the family, their religion, and their self-reliant problem-solving behaviors.