Providing culturally sensitive care to the childbearing Islamic family.

Current health care policy mandates that the unique health needs of various cultures be met and barriers to health care minimized. Birth occurs in the context of culture and religion, and an understanding of culture and religious beliefs are important for health care providers who are challenged to provide culturally sensitive care to diverse populations. This article provides a broad background discussion of Islam for the non-Muslim. A discussion of the care of the Muslim family during the childbearing process, highlighting specific issues related to modesty and privacy, female traditional dress and covering, dietary requirements, and newborn care, are provided. Part 2 in the series will present unique risk factors, health care beliefs, breast-feeding practices, issues related to end-of-life decisions and withdrawal of support, and death rituals that may be unique to Muslim families.