MATERNAL HEALTH-CARE AT A JAPANESE-AMERICAN RELOCATION CAMP, 1942-1945 - A HISTORICAL STUDY

Background: Front late summer of 1942 until the fall of 1945, approxim ately 120,000 ethnic Japanese were confined behind barbed wire within 10 relocation camps in the United States. Although histories have been written about the relocation camps, little data are available about w omen's lives. This study explored women's lives and experiences with p regnancy, childbirth, and child care in a Japanese-American relocation camp. Methods: Twenty women who were ages 18 to 31 years at the time of internment at Heart (Mountain, Wyoming Japanese American Relocation Camp, and one caucasian nurse who worked in the obstetric unit of the camp's hospital were interviewed. Archival, demographic, and historic al data, including some prenatal records, provided information about m aternity), and public health care for pregnant women and new mothers. Results: Obstetric hospital practices were typical of the 1940s in the United States. Community public health services for new mothers inclu ded formula kitchens and well-baby clinics. Infant mortality statistic s from 1942 to 1945 at Heart Mountain were comparatively better for th e same time period than for the stare of Wyoming or the United States. These outcomes may have reflected the camp's extensive social and fam ily support, adequate housing and food and universal access to materni ty services. Conclusions: The Heart Mountain internment provides a sto ry about how women's lives are impacted by war. Since World War II, ci vilians, especially women and children, have increasingly been targete d during wars with profound impact upon the health of mothers and babi es.