Discuss Differences Related to Ethnic and Cultural Groups Relative to Low Birth Weight Infants and Preterm Births. Essay

Week 1 DQ 1

Discuss differences related to ethnic and cultural groups relative to low birth weight infants and preterm births.

Describe the impact of extremely low birth weight babies on family and society (short and long term, including economic considerations, ongoing care considerations, and comorbidities associated with prematurity).

Discuss whether you feel that support services and systems in your community for preterm infants and their families adequately address their needs or not. Explain your answer.

With the increase of diversity in the population, the variation of cultural background is what plays an important role in an individual’s perception of care.   This accounts for an individual’s definition and knowledge of health and illness, knowing when and how to seek care, preventative practices, and health maintenance.   A person’s cultural background, which is a sum of different aspects, plays an important part in whether an individual chooses to seek health care.   These aspects include religion, culture, socialization, environment, and competence.   For example, a pregnant woman refuses to seek prenatal care because of her trust in her religion.   She trusts that her spirituality and belief in a higher-existence will suffice for the successful health and delivery of her baby.   Also, take into account of economic and financial statuses.   Minority groups are likely to have less education, less financial stability, no health insurance etc.   This prevents the women of the family from obtaining the prenatal care they need because they lack the resources necessary to get care in the first place.
Low birth weight is a good indicator for a newborn’s health and survival.   In a population, low birth weight is a sign of long-term maternal inadequate nutrition, poor health, and poor health care (Health Status Statistics: Morbidity, 2013).   Low birth weight is the leading cause of death in babies less than 28 days old.   For families, a baby born with low...