Perspectives of Doulas of Color on their Role in Alleviating Racial Disparities in Birth Outcomes: A Qualitative Study.
Black doulas
cultural competence
doula
doulas of color
health disparities
Journal
Journal of midwifery & women's health
ISSN: 1542-2011
Titre abrégé: J Midwifery Womens Health
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 100909407
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2022
01 2022
Historique:
revised:
19
07
2021
received:
24
03
2021
accepted:
04
08
2021
pubmed:
27
11
2021
medline:
11
5
2022
entrez:
26
11
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The purpose of this study was to explore how doulas of color conceptualize both their work and how their racial and ethnic identities influence their work within the context of racial disparities in birth outcomes in the United States. We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with doulas of color who had attended at least 3 births as doulas. Participants were recruited from across the United States. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to derive themes from the transcribed interviews. Interviews were conducted with 8 doulas of color, ranging in age from 21 to 47 from across the United States. All participants were either current college students or had earned a college degree. Although many of the doulas identified as being of more than one racial or ethnic group, nearly all participants identified closely with being Black or African American first, and their other racial groups second. Four major themes emerged: relationship with the medical system, role of identity in the doulas' work, role of class, and divisions within the natural birth movement. The majority of doulas who participated in this study stated that their racial identity strongly influenced their work, particularly when working with women of the same race or ethnicity due to their shared identities. Several participants initially became doulas because of a desire to alleviate disparities in birth outcomes for women of color. This suggests a commitment on the part of the study participants to serving their communities and to bridging the gap between women of color and the health care system. Several participants also noted that they feel alienated by both the health care system and the mainstream natural birth community.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
31-38Informations de copyright
© 2021 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
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