Maternal Prenatal Care Practices in Efrata and Gidim Woreda
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2006-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
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.
Description
Keywords
Care Practices