Handbook a guide to healthy motherhood
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Hyat Musse and Emily Doyle, both 4, at the launch of the Mama and Nunu—Mother and Baby—manual at the Maribyrnong Community Centre.
Mothers and mums-to-be were among the African-born women celebrating the launch of the Mama and Nunu—Mother and Baby—manual. |
Department of Human Services’ Western Metropolitan Regional Director Gabrielle Levine launched the Mama and Nunu—Mother and Baby—manual and a series of health pamphlets translated into African languages.
African-born women who took part in two culturally sensitive and appropriate pilot pregnancy care education programs named the manual.
It is an ititiative of Women’s Health West and aimed at health workers in the Western Region, which has a higher percentage of African-born settlers than other parts of Victoria.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (1996) data, the highest numbers come from Ethiopia, followed by Somalia and Eritrea.
Women’s Health West midwife/nurse and co-author of Mama and Nunu Jan Adams said major maternity hospitals had reported seeing women from African communities late in their pregnancies, often resulting in poorer outcomes for both the mother and baby.
‘The concept of antenatal education is not known to many women from African communities,’ Ms Adams said.
‘Most education and information is provided to them by their mothers, aunts, sisters or experienced older women.
‘And many African women who have settled in Australia do not have the support of family or friends who would have provided this information during their pregnancy.
‘Therefore, information, education and support need to come from other sources.’
The pregnancy care manual is intended for use by workers—particularly midwives or women’s health nurses—who, with African community workers, provide education and information sessions to African women.
Women’s Health West will work with other health services to offer training in providing culturally-sensitive and appropriate pregnancy care programs to African women in their communities.
The African women’s pamphlets were developed and translated into Amharic, Arabic, Somali and Tigringa.
They provide information to women about pap tests, breast health, pregnancy care, vaginal health and incontinence, as well as information about community health services available in the west of Melbourne.
Both projects were funded by the Department of Human Services’ Family and Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP) and Family Planning Program.
Sunshine Hospital and community health services in the west were key contributors to the project.
• Further information about the manual or pamphlets is available from Women’s Health West on 9689 9588.