Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation
Abstract
The aim of the study Is to explore predisposing and enabling factors that contribute to postpartum visit non-adherence by female immigrants of Arab descent in N.J. Are levels of acculturation, diminished social support, negative health beliefs, and health insurance status independently associated with postpartum visit non-adherence among Arab immigrant women in N.J.?
Background: The underutilization of postpartum care is a global problem that limits the early detection of physical and mental complications during the postpartum period. Internationally, the prevalence of nonadherence to postpartum visits ranges from 25% to 75%. Arab immigrant population in N.J. has doubled since 1980. Yet, there are sparse investigations of the extent to which immigrant women in the U.S. adhere to scheduled postpartum visits and factors that contribute to their nonadherence. This study aims to explore predisposing and enabling factors.
Methods: The Anderson Health Utilization Model and Acculturation Framework guided the examination of the extent to which Arab immigrant women’s beliefs about postpartum care, level of social support, level of acculturation, time in the U.S., and English language fluency are associated with postpartum visit nonadherence. A descriptive cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted. Arab immigrant women were recruited via convenience sampling from community centers in Jersey City.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data were collected by administering self-reported surveys. The Arabic and English Versions of the Acculturation Rating Scale (ARSMA-II) for Arab immigrants were used to assess the acculturation level. The Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to examine the perceived social support among Arab women. An adapted questionnaire assessed health beliefs regarding postpartum visits and care. Items on the demographic questionnaire assessed participants’ time in the U.S. and English language fluency. Correlational analysis and binomial logistic regression were used to examine theorized relationships.
Conclusion: This study is the first known theory-guided study that attempts to understand the causes of non-adherence to postpartum visits among Arab immigrant women in New Jersey. It aims to inform tailored interventions to 1) address factors that impede postpartum care and 2) increase the utilization of postpartum care services in this population.
Notes
References: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Postpartum depression. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/postpartum-depression
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Applied Psychology, 46(1), 5-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.1997.tb01087.x
Bruce, K. H., Anderson, M., & Stark, J. D. (2021). Factors associated with postpartum readmission for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 3(5), 100397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100397
Sigma Membership
Beta Tau
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Postpartum, Patient Non-adherence, Immigrants, Arab Immigrants
Recommended Citation
Mobarki, Abeer and Thomas-Hawkins, Charlotte, "Predictors Associated With Non-Adherence to Postpartum Visits Among Arab Immigrant Women in New Jersey" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 3.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/posters_2025/3
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
None: Event Material, Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Predictors Associated With Non-Adherence to Postpartum Visits Among Arab Immigrant Women in New Jersey
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The aim of the study Is to explore predisposing and enabling factors that contribute to postpartum visit non-adherence by female immigrants of Arab descent in N.J. Are levels of acculturation, diminished social support, negative health beliefs, and health insurance status independently associated with postpartum visit non-adherence among Arab immigrant women in N.J.?
Background: The underutilization of postpartum care is a global problem that limits the early detection of physical and mental complications during the postpartum period. Internationally, the prevalence of nonadherence to postpartum visits ranges from 25% to 75%. Arab immigrant population in N.J. has doubled since 1980. Yet, there are sparse investigations of the extent to which immigrant women in the U.S. adhere to scheduled postpartum visits and factors that contribute to their nonadherence. This study aims to explore predisposing and enabling factors.
Methods: The Anderson Health Utilization Model and Acculturation Framework guided the examination of the extent to which Arab immigrant women’s beliefs about postpartum care, level of social support, level of acculturation, time in the U.S., and English language fluency are associated with postpartum visit nonadherence. A descriptive cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted. Arab immigrant women were recruited via convenience sampling from community centers in Jersey City.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data were collected by administering self-reported surveys. The Arabic and English Versions of the Acculturation Rating Scale (ARSMA-II) for Arab immigrants were used to assess the acculturation level. The Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to examine the perceived social support among Arab women. An adapted questionnaire assessed health beliefs regarding postpartum visits and care. Items on the demographic questionnaire assessed participants’ time in the U.S. and English language fluency. Correlational analysis and binomial logistic regression were used to examine theorized relationships.
Conclusion: This study is the first known theory-guided study that attempts to understand the causes of non-adherence to postpartum visits among Arab immigrant women in New Jersey. It aims to inform tailored interventions to 1) address factors that impede postpartum care and 2) increase the utilization of postpartum care services in this population.
Description
1. The attendees will comprehend the perceptions of Arab immigrant women in New Jersey toward postpartum visits.
2. The attendees will understand factors that impede postpartum adherence among Arab immigrant women in New Jersey.