Respect and cultural difference in maternity care experiences (2026-2030)
Abstract
Hospital birth plays a vital role in maternal health, yet there are critical problems with birth trauma (harmful childbirth experiences) especially among culturally diverse women and ethnic minorities. This project aims to create new understandings of how cultural beliefs and norms influence expectations and practices of health care, including how different women perceive respectful maternity care and how medical professionals respond to cultural preferences. It centres on Fiji, a multicultural society. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of what respectful care means in practice, and advice to help improve maternal health care. This should benefit Fijian and Australian organisations working on health care and gender equality.
