"You can tell us your things and we'll teach you ours.": A 'Two Ways' Approach to Improving Antenatal Education for Ngaanyatjarra Women.

Background Although socio-economic and demographic disadvantage plays a huge part in poor outcomes for Aboriginal women and their babies, culturally inappropriate health services can also have adverse outcomes. When Aboriginal women can access services that meet their needs, they are likely to attend more frequently and thus have the opportunity for any complications to be addressed. Research Required Ngaanyatjarra women have expressed discontent at their lack of meaningful input to current maternity services. This study provided an opportunity for them to have their concerns documented and solutions developed. Methodology We used a participatory research methodology of group meetings and individual interviews followed by thematic analysis of content. The study population was Ngaanyatjarra women in a remote desert community in central Australia. Findings Older Ngaanyatjarra women hold traditional knowledge and skill of pregnancy and birth. Middle-aged and younger women lack traditional knowledge. Women of all age groups revealed a lack of knowledge about contemporary birth practices. All participants wanted to improve their knowledge related to pregnancy and birth. They recommended a 'two ways' approach to antenatal education. The Western maternity services model was acknowledged for its advantages, but women wanted to have more input into this model and they believed that traditional knowledge and practices could be incorporated without compromising the health and wellbeing of young women during pregnancy and birth. Conclusion Aboriginal women need to have opportunities for true participation in the development of local maternity services. A 'two ways' approach to antenatal education enables both traditional and contemporary knowledge to benefit all Aboriginal women while improving the acceptability of modern maternity services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]