Social-cultural practices and beliefs influencing maternal mortality

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how sociocultural practices and beliefs may influence maternal mortality in Nigeria by examining the cultural practices and popular traditional beliefs of the Ibibio and Annang ethnic groups of Akwa Ibom state. The research used semi-structured and unstructured in-depth face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. Two sites in Akwa lbom state of Nigeria—Etinan and Oruk Anam—were selected for the study. Thirty women of childbearing age and 10 men were interviewed. Four focus group discussions were held with 5 mothers-in-law, 5 menopausal women and 10 midwives. Thirty five observation sessions were conducted with seven traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. The computer software programme NVivo 8 was used to support management of data. The findings are presented in two themes: Childbearing as an inevitable burden or destiny and pregnancy, mystery, and superstition and the role of TBA. The supernatural belief system and religious prophecies served to potentially delay referral of childbearing women with complications to health care facilities placing women's lives at risk. It was therefore recommended that TBAs need to receive better training to make timely referrals to hospitals. Furthermore, they should be encouraged to develop better working relationships with midwives.

WomenÂ’s Perception and Experience of Caesarean Delivery in Ogbomoso, Southwest Nigeria

“…This is in contrast to the findings of Saoji et al in which 71% of women that had CS did not participate in the decision making and accepted the decision for a CS by the attending Physician [21]. Most women receive information about CS from family and friends which may be inaccurate and misleading [1,2,4,13,15]. In this study, majority received adequate information about CS from health caregivers but due to the low overall educational status of the women, health professionals need to ensure that information given to women is accurate and delivered at a level that is appropriate to the woman concerned and the level of intervention.…”

“…This finding agreed with that of Harrison et al in which rejection of CS was attributed to cultural factors, fears of rejections or isolation in the community. CS was perceived by some communities as a mark of reproductive failure and infidelity on the part of the women and as unacceptable, not being a natural form of childbirth [2,4].…”

“…Other reason given were some people perform CS to make the young doctors acquire the skills to perform the procedure and some believed medical practitioner perform it for their own gain and to reduce the stress of monitoring labor or subsequent litigation that may ensue [2,13,15].…”

“…Furthermore, it is estimated that one-third of all maternal deaths globally occurs in only two countries of the world; India and Nigeria [2]. According to UNFPA in 2012, Nigeria was accountable for 14% (40,000) of global maternal death and India about 20% (56,000) [3].…”

“…Some years back, the readily available option for most women was vaginal birth. Some of the women had their babies at home with traditional birth attendant or at faith-based homes but quite often with complications occurring and resulting in the baby and or the mother's death before any meaningful interventions [2]. Today, sizeable numbers of women have been successfully delivered through Caesarean section (CS).…”