Ethonursing Study of Pain Management in Neonates in Indonesia

Even though Indonesia is comprised of at least 1,300 ethnic groups, no specific traditional method for reducing pain, especially in neonates, has been elaborated.

This study aimed to investigate the traditional methods used by the Sundanese people in Indonesia to manage pain in neonates.

This ethnonursing study was conducted in the Pangandaran District, West Java Province, Indonesia. Thirty informants including health cadres, midwives, and community leaders in the health sector, such as trained traditional birth attendants and female elders, participated in this study. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions, as well as from field notes. Data were analyzed using the four phases of qualitative analysis based on Leininger's theory.

Six themes were identified in this study: (1) Preference for the use of traditional methods to treat pain in neonates and infants, (2) Desire to obtain information on the safe use of traditional medicine, (3) Desire to use practical pain management methods, (4) Easy to get modern medicine, (5) Use of medicinal plants, (6) Physical methods.

This study demonstrates the need for better harmonization between the use of traditional and modern medicines, in both research and practice, to determine the most appropriate mix that combines the strengths of each method based on accurate scientific evidence.