Quality of health services and early postpartum discharge: Results from a sample of non-English-speaking women

Abstract Few studies have explored the knowledge, perceptions and satisfaction of ethnic women in relation to early obstetric discharge. The aim of this study was to form a profile of Vietnamese mothers who opt for early postpartum discharge, and to identify factors associated with those decisions. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires were utilized to collect information from a sample of 160 mothers. Sixty mothers (38%) opted for early discharge (< 48 h). Factors strongly associated with early discharge were poor comprehension of English (OR = 6.58, 95% CI = 1.81, 24.02), very low level of education (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.55, 6.20) and first time mother (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.15, 4.27). The in-depth interviews identified further factors driving early discharge, including fear and anxiety when having to approach staff for assistance, and perceptions of disempowerment within culturally unfamiliar hospital surroundings. The findings in this study ought to alert administrators and clinicians to possible negative drivers for the choice of early postpartum discharge by Vietnamese mothers.