Browsing by Author "Mobarki, Abeer"

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Exploration of Predisposing and Enabling Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Postpartum Visits among Arab Immigrant Women in New Jersey
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025-05-18) Mobarki, Abeer; Hawkins, Charlotte Thomas
ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Factors Associated with Non-Adherence to Postpartum Visits among Arab Immigrant Women in New Jersey by ABEER M. MOBARKI Dissertation Directors: Dr. Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins The underutilization of postpartum care is a global problem that limits the early detection of physical and mental health complications during the postpartum period. Yet, there are few investigations of the underlying issues and even fewer investigations about immigrant women in the U.S. and their adherence to scheduled postpartum visits and factors that contribute to their non-adherence. Purpose: This study examined the interrelationships among acculturation oriented to Arabic culture, diminished social support, negative postpartum care beliefs, insurance status, and postpartum visit non-adherence among Arab immigrant women in New Jersey (NJ). Hypotheses: Five hypotheses were tested: 1) Acculturation oriented to Arabic culture is significantly associated with non-adherence to postpartum visits; 2) Diminished social support is significantly associated with non-adherence to postpartum visits; 3) Negative postpartum care beliefs are significantly associated with non-adherence to postpartum visits; 4) Public health insurance status or having no health insurance is significantly associated with non-adherence to postpartum visits; and 5) Acculturation oriented to Arabic culture, diminished social support, negative postpartum care beliefs, Public or no health insurance status are independent predictors of non-adherence to postpartum visits. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design. Foreign-born immigrant women who self-identified as Arab, delivered a child within the past two years, and spoke Arabic or English fluently were recruited from mosques and community centers in northern New Jersey and invited to complete the study survey. A single-item measure of postpartum visit non-adherence was used. The Arabic and English Versions of the Acculturation Rating Scale (ARSMA-II) for Arab immigrants were used to assess acculturation orientation level. The Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to examine perceived social support. The Postpartum Beliefs Questionnaire was used to examine beliefs about the postpartum. Results: One hundred thirty-eight Arab immigrant women comprised the study sample. Sixty-eight percent of participants reported non-adherence to postpartum visits. Acculturation oriented to Arabic culture, diminished social support, negative postpartum care beliefs, and insurance status had significant individual effects on the odds of postpartum visits non-adherence. Diminished social support and low perceived susceptibility to postpartum problems had significant independent direct effects on the odds of postpartum visits non-adherence. Conclusion: The findings from this study can inform tailored interventions to 1) address factors that impede postpartum care and 2) increase the utilization of postpartum care services among immigrant Arab women.
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