Isolating Women at Times of Labour and Reproductive Health Outcomes: The Case of Mandura, North West Ethiopia
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Date
2011-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Studies pertaining to the influence of culture on reproductive health in Ethiopia are limited.
This study explores the practice of isolating women at times of labour and its reproductive
health outcomes. The study is also concerned about identifying the social position of women
in Gumuz society due to its importance to identify the health status of women and why the
practice is sustained in the society. In order to attain the study objective, exploratory
qualitative case study design of inquiry was applied using in-depth interview with women
participants and key informants. Documentary films and document analysis are also used
as instruments of data collection. The finding of the study revealed that Gumuz mothers
deliver outside home without any midwives in bushes, pinches or near rivers. Some of the
behind reasons for the sustenance of the practice are it is believed that if women deliver at
home, the blood drop may call the anger of Musa (Supreme God of the people) and the
cultural belief advised mothers to manage delivery by them to be a strong mother who can
capably accomplish a women’s role. From this study the following conclusions are
developed. Gumuz mother’s isolation at the time of delivery usually followed by morbidity,
mortality. It is also a cause to infant mortality. Their access to health care services
particularly during labour and delivery is highly constrained by the traditional belief the
people have towards pregnancy and child birth as well as the long established usage of
herbal medication system and scarcity of health care posts in the study area. Accordingly
the researcher recommended awareness creation works on the recognition of women’s rights as human rights. Designing a distinguished maternal health policy for the country,
women’s economic empowerment, domesticating international human rights in the local contexts up to the extent of illegalizing the practice, and working on the expansion of schools
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Gender Studies