Traditional beliefs and practices in the postpartum period in Fujian Province, China: a qualitative study

Table 1 Summary of selection process and interview topics

Method	Participant	Selection Criteria and Rationale	Topics discussed
Semi- structured interviews	Families: 12 mothers 12 husbands 12 grand-mothers^#	Mother gave birth to living baby in last 4 months, but was not currently in postpartum period*. Grandmother cared for daughter during the postpartum period. Range of ages in mother.	Practices, beliefs and reasons. Extent to which these practices are implemented. Perceptions of practices, their benefits and harms. Decision making processes. Health problems related to practices.
Key informant interviews	4 Health workers	Provided postpartum services in study settings. Experience of practices.	Practices being implemented. Health problems related to practices.
Key informant interviews	4 Traditional medicine practitioners	Worked in Maternal and Child Health Care in study settings	Reasons for practices. TCM theory in relation to practices.

*Interviewing mothers during the postpartum period was felt to be intrusive. Families would still have good recall of events of the postpartum period during the 4 months.
^# Grandmother refers to infant's grandmother.

ISSN: 1471-2393