CULTURAL-DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EURO-CANADIAN AND INDO-CANADIAN MATERNITY PATIENTS

Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between cul tural background and certain variables relevant to hospital maternity care. Data were collected in semistructured in-person interviews. In t he first study, interviews were conducted with 27 Euro-Canadian and 24 Indo-Canadian patients; in the second study, interviews were conducte d with 33 Euro-Canadian and 24 Indo-Canadian patients. Patients' inter views were followed by short interviews with their nurses. The first s tudy revealed significant main effects for cultural background on a nu mber of psychosocial variables but little effect of cultural backgroun d on biomedical factors. The second study demonstrated that Indo-Canad ian patients had learned fewer baby care and self-care procedures and that nurses believed Indo-Canadian patients to be less likely to use t he procedures they had learned. Results are presented as evidence of t he need to recognize language and cultural differences in the provisio n of health care.