Maternal Prenatal Care Practices in Efrata and Gidim Woreda

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Date

2006-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Prenatal care is inevitable for two things: to keep the pregnant woman's health and to have a well developed child mentally and physically. This being the case, the major purpose of this study was to describe how pregnant mothers care for themselves aild the fetus. In addition, the study was aimed at finding the cultural practices and beliefs about pregnancy. Four pregnant women (from Efeson health center) and fifteen elder women (from different parts of the Woreda) were selected. Interview and focus group discussion were used to collect the relevant data. Pregnant women were asked to report their activities during pregnancy in relation to nutritional care, medical care, care related to work and rest and social support they are provided with. On the other hand, elder women were asked to report about the cultural beliefs and the dos and don't do's during pregnancy. Results of the study indicated that because of cultural reasons ยท pregnant women could not provide the necessary care expected during pregnancy. T/;ey did not eat balanced diet, they worked for long hours a day without enough rest, they received insufficient social support and they sought modern medical attention only when they faced serious health prohlems and for monthly vaccination. The provision of inadequate care is aggravated by the low or absence of education, low income, and increased age and generally by lower livelihood of the respondents. They were also tied with cultural beliefs. Cultural beliefs related to food, prevention of diseases and work did not let thein follow their own way. Pregnant women are faced with problems in providing adequate care for themselves and the fetus because of cultural, socio -- economic and demographic/actors. Therefore, 10 help pregnant women give great aUention to prenatal care awareness creation, provision of adequate healthcare institutions and attiludinal change towards pregnant women are some recommended points.

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Care Practices

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