Lee Cheng Koh, Rae Walker, Dennis Wollersheim and Pranee Liamputtong
The purpose of this paper is to present a mixed method study of social capital development and use, based on an intervention which provided women from refugee backgrounds with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a mixed method study of social capital development and use, based on an intervention which provided women from refugee backgrounds with social capital development skills and tools.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 111 Afghan, Burmese and Sudanese women living in Melbourne, Australia, received peer-support training and a free unlimited fixed-dial mobile phone for one year.
Findings
Interview and call log data suggest that the training sessions and mobile phones played important roles in bonding social capital development, resulting in a complex support network among participants. To a lesser extent, there was also evidence of bridging social capital creation. By providing linkages to government institutions through an interpreter service, the mobile phones gave participants easy access to linking social capital, in their heritage language.
Originality/value
The program supplements existing community resources with mobile phone technology to create social capital rich networks within these disadvantaged communities, and the authors describe the community characteristics that make participants amenable to such an intervention.
Details
Keywords
Titaree Phanwichatkul, Elaine Burns, Pranee Liamputtong and Virginia Schmied
The purpose of this paper is to describe Burmese migrant women’s perceptions of health and well-being during pregnancy, their health promoting practices and their experiences with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe Burmese migrant women’s perceptions of health and well-being during pregnancy, their health promoting practices and their experiences with the Thai antenatal services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used an ethnographic design. Observations were conducted in two antenatal clinics in southern Thailand. Ten Burmese migrant women and three Burmese interpreters participated in interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings
The Burmese women wanted to take care of themselves and their baby to the best of their ability. This included following traditional practices and attending the antenatal clinic if able. Negotiating the demands of earning an income, and protecting their unborn baby, sometimes led to unhealthy practices such as consuming energy drinks and herbal tonics to improve performance. Accessing antenatal care was a positive health seeking behaviour noted in this community, however, it was not available to all.
Research limitations/implications
This is a small ethnographic study conducted in one Province in Thailand and all Burmese participants were legal migrants. Further research is required to understand the needs of pregnant women not able to access maternity services because of their status as an illegal migrant.
Practical implications
Community-based health promotion initiatives need to focus on the nutrition of pregnant women who are migrants living in southern Thailand. New models of care may increase migrant women’s use of antenatal services.
Originality/value
Most studies of the health of migrant women are conducted in high-income countries. This study demonstrates the difficulties experienced by women migrating from a low to middle-income country.
Details
Keywords
Dusanee Suwankhong and Pranee Liamputtong
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experience of carrying out an ethnographic research in the real world with six different participant groups from different backgrounds…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experience of carrying out an ethnographic research in the real world with six different participant groups from different backgrounds and embodying different expertise in traditional medicine. The paper will discuss why some approaches do not go well with some key informant groups and will demonstrate a suitable method that function better with those groups. The paper also argues that there is unpredictability of doing research in the real world, and this is crucial knowledge for novice researchers, and researchers who wish to embark on their research in different communities.
Design/methodology/approach
Ethnography comprising of in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus group and unobtrusive methods.
Findings
Listening to traditional healers’ explanation of their roles, patients’ perspectives of their treatments and the views of other participant groups will help us to understand the role of traditional healers, how effective their treatment is, and the possibilities for, and barriers to co-operation with the modern health care system. Ethnographic approach addresses deep understanding about cultural phenomena and issues in the real world because it captures everyday life and practices among local people.
Practical implications
The principle of ethnography requires a researcher being in the field and living with the local people for a long period of time. This provides the researcher with the opportunity to learn and experience a new world on his/her own.
Originality/value
Although the process of carrying out an ethnographic study is unpredictable, the methodological approach the paper employs in this study has resulted in valuable outcomes to a novice ethnographer. The paper would suggest to other novice ethnographers that this methodology is a very worthwhile approach in terms of exploring, learning and understanding the new world.