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. 2024 Oct 1;14(10):e082998.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082998.

Dietary habit and lifestyle of postpartum women in South China: a mixed methods research

Wanhe Chen  1 , Jinguo Zhai  2 , Cairu Yuan  3 , Yulian Liang  1 , Xiaoqin Lu  1 , Yingui Guo  1 , Yongzi Yao  1
Affiliations

Dietary habit and lifestyle of postpartum women in South China: a mixed methods research

Wanhe Chen et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the dietary and hygiene behaviours and influencing factors of women during the puerperium in South China.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Three tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China PARTICIPANTS: From November 2022 to March 2023, 327 women with puerperal experience were enrolled using the purposive sampling method, with 323 valid questionnaires collected for data analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six puerperium women and five primary caregivers.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: This study used a questionnaire survey to collect and analyse the current postpartum dietary and hygiene behaviours among women in the South China region, along with their influencing factors.

Results: Multinomial logistics regression revealed women residing in urban-rural fringe were more likely to use ventilated rooms (OR 4.496, 95% CI 2.363 to 8.552) and avoid hair washing (OR 0.345, 95% CI 0.159 to 0.749) compared with urban residents. Additionally, women who practiced Buddhism were more likely to wash their hair (OR 11.070, 95% CI 2.339 to 52.379) and take baths (OR 6.856, 95% CI 2.057 to 22.855) compared with those with no religious affiliation. Lastly, those whose primary caregiver was their husband were more likely to consume watermelon (OR 2.235, 95% CI 1.119 to 4.463), persimmon (OR 4.395, 95% CI 1.886 to 10.242) and longan (OR 2.612, 95% CI 1.362 to 5.010). The qualitative study identified five themes: dietary practices, hygiene habits, personal attitude, sources of information and support.

Conclusion: The dietary and hygiene behaviours of puerperium women in South China are significantly influenced by the residen, primary caregivers and religious beliefs. Medical care providers should adopt a precision postpartum care strategy to improve the quality of care.

Keywords: Behavior; NUTRITION & DIETETICS; Postpartum Period.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Framework of factors affecting postpartum women.
Figure 2
Figure 2. The framework after adding the study results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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