Assessment of women's perspectives and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care using Q-methodology.

To complement standard measures of maternity care outcomes, an assessment of women's satisfaction with care is needed. The aim of this study was to elicit the perspectives and experiences of Iraqi women about childbirth and postnatal care services. The study participants were a sample of 37 women of different educational and socioeconomic status who had given birth during the previous 6 months. Q-methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Three distinct viewpoints and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care services were identified: a general perception of poor childbirth and postnatal care with lack of appropriate interpersonal care and support; a high satisfaction and positive experience with childbirth and postnatal care services among the confident and well-supported women; and poor satisfaction with the childbirth and postnatal care services in terms of meeting traditional cultural practices. Needs assessment around providers' skills and attitudes and the wider sociocultural environment of childbirth and postnatal care is necessary in Iraq.

Assessment of women's perspectives and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care using Q-methodology

To complement standard measures of maternity care outcomes,an assessment of women's satisfaction with care is needed. The aim of this study was to elicit the perspectives and experiences of Iraqi women about childbirth and postnatal care services. The study participants were a sample of 37 women of different educational and socioeconomic status who had given birth during the previous 6 months.Q-methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Three distinct viewpoints and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care services were identified: a general perception of poor childbirth and postnatal care with lack of appropriate interpersonal care and support; a high satisfaction and positive experience with childbirth and postnatal care services among the confident and well-supported women; and poor satisfaction with the childbirth and postnatal care services in terms of meeting traditional cultural practices. Needs assessment around providers' skills and attitudes and the wider sociocultural environment of childbirth and postnatal care is necessary in Iraq

Pour compléter les mesures standards des résultats des soins maternels,une évaluation de la satisfaction des femmes en matière de soins est nécessaire. L'objectif de l'étude était de découvrir les conceptions et les expériences des femmes iraquiennes en matière d'accouchement et de services de soins postnatals.Les 37 femmes de l'échantillon participant à l'étude avaient un statut socioéconomique et un niveau d'études variés et avaient accouché au cours des six mois précédents. La méthode-Q a été utilisée pour le recueil et l'analyse des données.Trois points de vue et expériences distincts de l'accouchement et de services de soins postnatals ont été identifiés : une perception générale de l'accouchement et des soins postnatals mediocre caractérisée par un manque de soins et de soutien interpersonnels appropriés ; un niveau de satisfaction élevé et une expérience positive de l'accouchement et des services de soins postnatals chez les femmes bien entourées et confiantes ; et un mauvais niveau de satisfaction en termes d'accouchement et de services de soins postnatals concernant le respect des pratiques traditionnelles et culturelles. Une évaluation des besoins vis-à-vis des compétences et des attitudes des prestataires et de l'environnement socioculturel plus large dans ce domaine est nécessaire en Iraq

Demographic transition and potential for development: the case of Iraqi Kurdistan

The effect of population growth and demographic transition on economic development has been well documented. The population growth in Iraqi Kurdistan is passing through a critical stage of demographic transition. It is, in fact, extremely likely that the region will fail to efficiently move through the demographic transition and will experience a long period in the demographic trap, i.e. the population will grow steadily and rapidly owing to the high fertility and low mortality rates. With correct government policies in terms of promoting family planning programmes, should the political context allow, demographic transition can pass smoothly through this critical stage. Furthermore, if demographic transition in Kurdistan moves to the next stage, it will provide an important window of opportunity for economic development. Proper exploitation of this demographic window through investment in education, on-the-job training and health services, in addition to proper and appropriate exploitation of economic resources and suitable and productive use of the labour force, will result in significant economic development over the next few decades