Practices and Beliefs During Pregnancy and Child Birth in Adamitulu Woreda, Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
1997-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This community-based cross sectional study was carried out from MayAugust
1997 in Adamitulu Woreda, East Shewa Zone, Oromiya Regional State.
The objective was to asses practices and beliefs during pregnancy and child birth, with special emphasis to traditional practices, and to identify factors related with them. Survey and focus group discussions were the techniques used to collect data. A total of 1023 women, 328 in Zeway town and 695 in the surrounding peasant associations, were interviewed. The major harmful traditional practices during pregnancy were restriction of certain food items, and taking "kosso" (Hagenia abyssinica) for the treatment of Tape Worm infestation and for other purposes. During child birth, the major harmful traditional practices identified were abdominal massage, and lubrication of birth canal with butter, using unboiled materials to cut the umbilical cord, leaving the umbilical stump untied, application of materials (mud, soil, cow dung, butter) on the umbilical stump, and giving butter to the new born.
The major harmful traditional practices after delivery were delayed commencement of breast feeding, discarding colostrum, confining the child from sun light, and application of hot metal to the child when he/she has abdominal cramp.
The effects of sex during pregnancy, "Metaten" during pregnancy, and drinking goat or sheep blood during delivery is not well studied that it is difficult to label them as useful, harmful or neutral.
In general, harmful traditional practices are highly prevalent in the area and - the effects of some of the traditional practices are not well known.
Extensive health education towards the eradication of the identified harmful traditional practices, further studies on the effects of traditional practices whose effect is not well known, and similar studies in other areas is therefore recommended.