Zewdie, Teka (PhD)Mekonnen, Desalegn2019-11-202023-11-102019-11-202023-11-102005-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/20158The study was carried out from March to May 2005 in Benishangul Gumuz regional state of Berta ethnic group. The major objective of the study was to describe about maternal and newborn care practices during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to collect the relevant data. Four representative areas and 120 respondents 30 in each were selected purposively. In the finding of the study, the traditional and medical care, social care, nutritional care, rituals and ceremonies, birth process, breastfeeding and other related postpartum care practices were described. Despite the presence of useful care practices such as social support, early breast-feeding, bonding and others, there are also harmful traditional care practices such as colostrums removal, preventing the child from sunlight, absence of medical check ups and others. Extensive education towards the care of the mother and newborn is recommended.enIERThesis