Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Jan;34(1):83-90.
doi: 10.1177/10436596221130798. Epub 2022 Nov 2.

"We Experience What They Experience": Black Nurses' and Community Health Workers' Reflections on Providing Culturally Specific Perinatal Health Care

Roberta Hunte  1 , Gita R Mehrotra  1 , Susanne Klawetter  1
Affiliations

"We Experience What They Experience": Black Nurses' and Community Health Workers' Reflections on Providing Culturally Specific Perinatal Health Care

Roberta Hunte et al. J Transcult Nurs. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: Black perinatal health workers are part of a tradition of Black people fighting for the well-being of Black communities. The purpose of this article is to better understand the unique experiences of these professionals.

Method: Descriptive qualitative research was used to understand Black providers' experiences in a culturally specific perinatal public health program. A focus group was conducted with seven nurses and community health workers, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Three themes emerged: (a) shared lived experience and parallel process between staff and clients; (b) navigating multiple shifting gazes between clients, public health department, and medical systems; and (c) reproductive justice and community care characterize a culturally informed approach.

Discussion: Findings revealed strengths and complexities facing Black nurses and community health workers in their roles. More work is needed in education, practice, and research to better prepare and support nurses and community health workers in culturally specific settings.

Keywords: African American; Black; cultural groups; maternal and child health; public health policy; qualitative research.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

References

    1. Altman MR, McLemore MR, Oseguera T, Lyndon A, & Franck LS (2020). Listening to women: Recommendations from women of color to improve experiences in pregnancy and birth care. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 65(4), 466–473. 10.1111/jmwh.13102 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bates LK, & Curry-Stevens A, & Coalition of Communities of Color. (2014). The African American community in Multnomah County: An unsettling profile. Portland State University. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/socwork_fac/135/
    1. Braun V, & Clarke V (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa - DOI
    1. Bridgeman-Bunyoli AM, Cheyney M, Monroe SM, Wiggins N, & Vedam S (2022). Preterm and low birthweight birth in the United States: Black midwives speak of causality, prevention, and healing. Birth, 49(3), 526–539. 10.1111/birt.12624 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bridgeman-Bunyoli AM, Mitchell SR, Bin Abdullah AM, Schwoeffermann T, Phoenix T, Goughnour C, Hines-Norwood R, & Wiggins N (2015). “It’s in my veins”: Exploring the role of an Afrocentric, popular education-based training program in the empowerment of African American and African community health workers in Oregon. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 38(4), 297–308. 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000112 - DOI - PubMed