Cultural and traditional influences on postpartum care practices among women in the United Arab Emirates

Background: Postpartum care is strongly shaped by cultural and traditional beliefs, especially in multicultural societies such as the United Arab Emirates. These practices may influence maternal recovery, infant care, family support, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and mental well-being during the postpartum period.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the cultural and traditional beliefs and practices related to postpartum care among women in the UAE and to identify factors associated with the adoption of these practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 306 women who had given birth in the UAE within the previous five years. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, postpartum practices, cultural beliefs, family and workplace support, and mental health experiences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression.

Results: The study included 306 women who had given birth in the UAE within the previous five years. Most participants were expatriates (95.4%), married (98.7%), and had at least a bachelor’s degree (66.1%). Overall, 74.2% of participants reported adherence to traditional postpartum practices. Logistic regression showed that expatriate women had higher odds of following postpartum practices compared with Emirati women (AOR=8.7, 95% CI: 1.4-54.3, p< 0.05). Women whose families followed postpartum customs were also more likely to adhere to these practices (AOR=4.2, 95% CI: 1.7-10.2, p<0.001). Confinement and rest practices were significantly associated with postpartum practice adherence (AOR=3.7, 95% CI: 1.7-8.0, p<0.001). Active family participation (AOR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.2-7.0, p<0.05) and availability of hired household help (AOR=3.7, 95% CI: 2.0-6.9, =0.001) were also significant predictors. Mental health concerns were noted, with 25.2% reporting symptoms of postpartum depression, while only 12.1% sought psychological help.

Conclusion: Cultural and traditional beliefs play an important role in shaping postpartum care practices among women in the UAE. The findings highlight the need for culturally competent postpartum services that respect beneficial traditional practices while strengthening family support, workplace accommodations, and mental health services. Integrating cultural understanding into maternal healthcare can improve postpartum experiences and support better maternal and child health outcomes.

Prof. Jayadevan Sreedharan is Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, and Director of the Thumbay Institute of Population Health. He holds PhDs in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, plus qualifications in cancer prevention and health professions education. An Adjunct Professor at the University of Arizona and UICC Fellow, he has over 200 scholarly outputs spanning non-communicable diseases, cancer epidemiology, tobacco control, public health, advanced methods, and medical education. He is active in mentoring doctoral and postgraduate students, academic program development, accreditation, funded research, international collaboration, community engagement, and regional public health capacity building through teaching, leadership, and research.