Buon giorno!Italia!

Portugal, Spain, Italy . . .

Italian Culture“Health care providers cannot

provide good care without assessing both cultural group patterns and individual variations within a cultural group” - Lipson & Dibble

This tenet of culture—group patterns and individual variations—is reflected in Italian Culture.

Similar, yet differentDue to factors such as age, region of

origin, education, socioeconomic status and place of residence, Italians and Italian culture is at once homogenous and heterogeneous.

Italians share many similaritiesMost are Roman CatholicFamily is of primary importanceFood is integral to their livesIn a health care context, they

tend to be modest.

La Familia!

Within these similarities, Italians can be very differentAt the same time, Italians can be very

unique from family to family, and region to region.

Food and wine: Italians often make their own breads, sausages, and wine. They are very proud of their unique versions.

Religion: Although most Italians are Catholic, each Italian town and region ascribes to different patron saints.

At the same time, certain saints are prayed to for certain things. . .

Patron Saint Gerard Majella

Patron Saint Anne

Catholicism and contraceptionAs mentioned, most Italians are CatholicThe Catholic church is against any form of

birth control other than natural methodsBe prepared to discuss abstinence, the

Billings method, the basil body temperature method & the rhythm method.

Pregnancy and The FamilyDuring pregnancy, Italian families

may be supportive to the point of being overprotective

Italian women generally will follow regular prenatal care and attend childbirth preparation classes

Once the mother is in the hospital, family members will often visit and stay with mom around the clock

LaborItalian women usually give birth

in the hospital and their labor practices tend to be the same as the dominant American culture.

They will accept pain meds and medical intervention

They prefer vaginal birthsThey may want modesty during

labor

PostpartumMost Italian women will have a

strong desire to leave the hospital quickly in order to be home with their families

New mothers are cared for by female family members

They generally will breastfeedFamily members will bring Italian

comfort foods like pasta or the soup, minestra maritata

Minestra Maritata!

Patron St. Anne

Italian proverb about doctors“If the patient dies, the doctor

has killed him, but if he gets well, the saints have saved him.” - Italian proverb

La Finito!

La Finito!