Assessment of Traditional Practices During Pregnancy, Labour, Delivery and Associated Factorsamong the Reproductive Age Women at Kersa Malima District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction:Traditional Practices reflect values and beliefs held by members of a community
for periods often spanning generations. Every social grouping in the world has specific
Traditional Practices and beliefs,some of which are beneficial to all members, while others are
harmful to a specific group. Traditional Practices transmitted through tales, rituals, healing
method and customary laws from generation to generation. Traditional Practices are more likely
employ in developing countries where health facilities and health education are still behind the
rich of the majority of the people.Although Maternal Mortality Ratio in developing countries is
still 15 times higher than developed countries. This is because Traditional Practices are the main
contributing factors for maternal morbidity and mortality.
Objective:Assessment of Traditional Practices during pregnancy, labour and delivery among
reproductive age group women and to identify factors related with them.
Methods and Materials: The community-based cross-sectional study for the quantitave study
and indepth interview for the qualitative study was carried out fromNovember 2013-June 2014 in
Kersa Malimma District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional state.
Result:The major Harmful Traditional Practices during pregnancy were intake of kosso with or
without tape worm infestation, doing hard work. During labour and delivery the major Harmful
Traditional Practices identified were home delivery, shaking the women until placenta deliver,
cutting the umbilical cord with unsterilized razor blade, left the umbilical cord without tying,
putting butter, vaseline and hair oil on umbilical stump (a short piece of umbilicus after the rest
of umbilical cord was cut),giving bath for the newborn immediately after delivery, women taking
bath on day 4 or 5 afer delivery and drinking local alcohol while breast feeding. Massaging the
abdomen while the women were in labour and drinking “telba” after delivery are Traditional
Practicesidentified but their effect is not well known and labelledas neutral practices. Those
Traditional Practices that are indicated above have similarity with Traditional Practices described
in indepth interview.Family monthly income is associated with kosso intake, abortion an
educational status of the women is associated with work during pregnancy and abortion is
associated with home delivery practice.
Conclusion:Ingeneral, Harmful Traditional Practices during pregnancy, labour and delivery are
highly prevalent in this study 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 for those that are not well known
and similar studies in other areas is therefore recommended.
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Keywords
Traditional Practices, During Pregnancy, Labour, Delivery