Shela Hirani

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10294/9152

Associate Professor
Office: Research and Innovation Centre, Room 508
E-mail: shela.hirani@uregina.ca
Phone: 306-337-8544

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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Open Access
Baby-friendly initiatives to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices of immigrant mothers: A qualitative study in Saskatchewan, Canada
(Elsevier BV, 2023-03) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani
Immigrant mothers, who often experience separation from extended family and social disconnection in a new country, are at risk of experiencing reduced physical, mental and emotional well-being, especially during the perinatal phase of their lives. Saskatchewan has a noticeable increase in the immigrant population with young children, limited availability of healthcare settings with baby-friendly initiative (BFI) status, potential risks to the health of young immigrant children after breastfeeding discontinuation, and the limited number of empirical studies that intend to seek recommendations from immigrant mothers on need-based initiatives that can promote, protect and support their breastfeeding practices. This qualitative study intended to seek recommendations from immigrant mothers belonging to diverse ethnic groups on need-based initiatives to promote, protect and support the breastfeeding practices of immigrant mothers in Saskatchewan, Canada. Using a critical ethnographic study design, this study was undertaken in Saskatchewan, Canada. After receiving ethics approval, in-depth interviews were undertaken with 30 immigrant mothers with young children of age 1 day to 24 months. Immigrant mothers were recruited from different cities through purposive and snowball sampling. Data was also gathered through observations of breastfeeding services in Saskatchewan. Immigrant mothers recommended the need for support from people in their social network (healthcare provider, husband, community and government), baby-friendly initiatives in hospital and community-based settings (breastfeeding counselling facilities, breastfeeding education before and after childbirth, and follow-up care), culturally-sensitive care (interpretation services and culturally appropriate food in hospitals), breastfeeding helplines (offering services in multiple languages), breastfeeding acceptance in a variety of public places (workplace, airports, restaurants, parks and public transportation), and investment in immigrant programs (maternal and child programs) to promote the well-being of immigrant mothers with young children. Breastfeeding support in hospitals, public places, workplaces and society at large is essential to promote, protect and support the breastfeeding practices of immigrant mothers in Saskatchewan, Canada. The role of healthcare professionals, family members, workplace supervisors and colleagues, policymakers, and governmental/non-governmental organizations is crucial in supporting the breastfeeding practices of immigrant mothers.
Open Access
Caring for breastfeeding mothers in disaster relief camps: A call to innovation in nursing curriculum
(Elsevier BV, 2022-12) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani
During natural disasters, people are forced to flee their homes and resettle in temporary disaster relief camps (such as huts, tents, and transitional shelters) that are often located on barren ground, far from cities. Disaster relief camps are one of the most vulnerable settings where women are at risk of discontinuing their breastfeeding practices. A critical ethnographic study undertaken with the internally displaced mothers residing in disaster relief camps in Pakistan re- vealed that the availability of formal support from healthcare professionals is one of the key determinants that shape the breastfeeding experiences of the displaced mothers. Hence suggested the need for innovative strategies in the nurs- ing curriculum to build the capacity of nurses to provide culturally sensitive care to breastfeeding mothers affected by disaster and displacement. Considering these findings, it is recommended that nursing educational settings must in- clude courses on “caring for the vulnerable population during a disaster” at the baccalaureate, graduate, and post- graduate levels. The inclusion of these courses will foster nurses to understand the needs of the displaced community, identify the importance of making a difference through collaborative work, and take part in designing innovative interventions (surrounding health, housing, economic upliftment, and well-being) for the displaced communities. Moreover, onsite clinical experience in disaster relief camps is recommended. This will enhance nurses' competence, hands-on skills, knowledge, and cultural sensitivity while providing care to displaced mothers with a variety of clinical presentations and breastfeeding concerns. Continuing education sessions and seminars must be organized for nurses to update their knowledge about breastfeeding and facilitate evidence-based practice in the setting of disaster relief camps.
Open Access
Challenges of Conducting a Critical Ethnographic Breastfeeding Study in the Post-Disaster Settings: Lessons Learned
(Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., 2023-01-09) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani
Post-disaster settings are the most vulnerable settings where researchers may face challenges specific to their safety, research logistics, and maintenance of ethical integrity in a high-stress context. This paper presents the researcher’s reflections on undertaking a critical ethnographic breastfeeding study in the post-disaster settings of rural Pakistan where displaced women with young children were under extreme stress due to recurrent natural disasters, displacement, disruption to life, and homelessness. This paper identifies encountered challenges by the researcher during fieldwork in that post-disaster settings, presents the strategies utilized by the researcher during the fieldwork, and shares recommendations for future researchers on ways to maintain research integrity in this challenging context.
Open Access
Impact of COVID-19 on Women Who Are Refugees and Mothering: A Critical Ethnographic Study
(SAGE Publications, 2022-01) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani; Joan Wagner
Refugee women often experience trauma and social disconnection in a new country and are at risk of experiencing reduced physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Globally, COVID-19 has affected the health and well-being of the population at large. This critical ethnographic study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 on women who are refugees and mothering in Saskatchewan, Canada. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 27 women who are refugees and mothering young children aged 2 years and under. This study suggests that during COVID-19, refugee women are at high risk of experiencing add-on stressors due to isolation, difficulty in accessing health care, COVID-19-related restrictions in hospitals, limited follow-up care, limited social support, financial difficulties, and compromised nutrition. During COVID-19, collaborative efforts by nurses, other health-care professionals, and governmental and non-governmental organizations are essential to provide need-based mental health support, skills-building programs, nutritional counseling, and follow-up care to this vulnerable group.
Open Access
Sociocultural Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers During Natural Disasters: A Critical Ethnography in Rural Pakistan
(SAGE Publications, 2023-01) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani; Solina Richter; Bukola Salami; Helen Vallianatos
Natural disasters affect the health and well-being of mothers with young children. During natural disasters, this population is at risk of discontinuation of their breastfeeding practices. Pakistan is a middle-income country that is susceptible to natural disasters. This study intended to examine sociocultural factors that shape the breastfeeding experiences and practices of internally displaced mothers in Pakistan. This critical ethnographic study was undertaken in disaster-affected villages of Chitral, Pakistan. Data were collected utilizing multiple methods, including in-depth interviews with 18 internally displaced mothers and field observations. Multiple sociocultural factors were identified as either barriers or facilitators to these mothers’ capacities to breastfeed their children. Informal support, formal support, breastfeeding culture, and spiritual practices facilitated displaced mothers to sustain their breastfeeding practices. On the other hand, lack of privacy, cultural beliefs, practices and expectations, covert oppression, and lack of healthcare support served as barriers to the breastfeeding practices of displaced mothers.
Open Access
Workplace Lactation Support Program: An Avenue to Benefit Workplace Settings, Employed Women and Infants
(MedCrave Group Kft., 2015-07-02) Shela Akbar Ali Hirani
Employed women are one of those groups who often find it challenging to continue their breastfeeding practices with paid work; hence they often up into stress and role- conflict due to their inability to manage infant’s feeding responsibilities along with employment. Considering the rising trend of women’s labor force participation and gradual decline in breastfeeding prevalence among employed women, in this paper, workplace lactation support program is discussed as an avenue that can not only sustain breastfeeding practices of employed women and improve maternal and child health in a society but can also benefit workplace organizations by enhancing job satisfaction, decreasing absenteeism and lowering turnover rates among female employees.

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