First Nations Peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding stillbirth prevention and bereavement practices: A mixed methods systematic review

Danielle Pollock; Helen D Bailey; Sabira Hasanoff; Zachary Munn; Chelsea Valenzuela; Cindy Stern; Carrie Price; Rhonda Marriott; Janinne Gliddon; Carolyn Lewis; Carol Michie; Muriel Bowie; Millie Penny; Tracy Reibel; Jane Warland; Brad Farrant; Scott W White; Carrington C J Shepherd

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101604

First Nations Peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs regarding stillbirth prevention and bereavement practices: A mixed methods systematic review

Women Birth. 2024 Apr 18;37(4):101604. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101604. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Danielle Pollock¹, Helen D Bailey², Sabira Hasanoff³, Zachary Munn³, Chelsea Valenzuela⁴, Cindy Stern⁴, Carrie Price⁵, Rhonda Marriott⁶, Janinne Gliddon⁶, Carolyn Lewis⁷, Carol Michie⁸, Muriel Bowie⁷, Millie Penny⁷, Tracy Reibel⁶, Jane Warland⁹, Brad Farrant⁷, Scott W White¹⁰, Carrington C J Shepherd¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Health Evidence Synthesis Recommendations and Impact (HESRI), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: danielle.pollock@adelaide.edu.au.
² Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
³ Health Evidence Synthesis Recommendations and Impact (HESRI), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
⁴ JBI, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
⁵ Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA.
⁶ Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁷ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁸ Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁹ University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
¹⁰ Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Maternal Fetal Medicine Service, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; The Western Australian Centre for Health Research for Women and Babies, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
¹¹ Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.

PMID: 38640744
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101604

Abstract

Background: First Nations Peoples endure disproportionate rates of stillbirth compared with non-First Nations Peoples. Previous interventions have aimed at reducing stillbirth in First Nations Peoples and providing better bereavement care without necessarily understanding the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs that could influence the design of the intervention and implementation.

Aim: The aim of this review was to understand the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about stillbirth prevention and bereavement of First Nations Peoples from the US, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Australia.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for a convergent integrated mixed method systematic review. This review was overseen by an advisory board of Aboriginal Elders, researchers, and clinicians. A search of eight databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, Dissertations and Theses and Indigenous Health InfoNet) and grey literature was conducted. All studies were screened, extracted, and appraised for quality by two reviewers and results were categorised, and narratively summarised.

Results: Ten studies were included within this review. Their findings were summarised into four categories: safeguarding baby, traditional practices of birthing and grieving, bereavement photography and post-mortem examination. The results indicate a diversity of perceptions, knowledge and beliefs primarily around smoking cessation and bereavement practices after stillbirth. However, there was a paucity of research available.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to understand the perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about stillbirth among First Nations Peoples. Without research within this area, interventions to prevent stillbirth and support bereaved parents and their communities after stillbirth may face barriers to implementation.

Keywords: Bereavement; First Nations; Pregnancy Loss; Prevention; Stillbirth; Systematic Review.

Publication types

Review