Preventive Medicine and Health Behavior Unit, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa.
Community Medicine Unit, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 1;19(7):4189. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074189.
Though there are prenatal and perinatal protocols across the African continent, traditional practices are commonly used. Improving maternal health requires an understanding of local cultural approaches and traditional health systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of pregnant mothers of various ages and gravidities towards traditional maternal health practices during pregnancy. A descriptive phenomenological study was carried out with 27 purposively selected pregnant women from the King Sabatha Dalindyebo health sub-district. Discussion from three focus groups yielded three major themes and eight sub-themes. Content analysis revealed strong opinions and support for traditional practices. Although specialist practitioners were mentioned, family members were the primary source of information on traditional perinatal health practices. African mahogany bark, herbal decoctions, and holy water were allegedly used to treat labor pains, postnatal care, and the warding off of evil spirits. During pregnancy, these were thought to be beneficial and necessary. Nonetheless, the protection of some traditional practices' know-how prevents integration of the traditional health system into the national health system. Consequently, there is a need for dialogue to facilitate the exchange of ideas on maternal health between the two health systems in order to facilitate more efficient policy formulation and implementation.
尽管非洲大陆有产前和围产期的方案，但传统做法仍普遍存在。改善孕产妇健康需要了解当地的文化方法和传统卫生系统。本研究旨在确定不同年龄和孕次的孕妇对妊娠期间传统孕产妇保健做法的看法。采用描述性现象学研究方法，从 King Sabatha Dalindyebo 卫生分区中选择了 27 名有目的的孕妇。通过三个焦点小组的讨论产生了三个主要主题和八个子主题。内容分析显示，对传统做法的意见强烈且支持。尽管提到了专业从业者，但家庭成员是传统围产期保健做法信息的主要来源。据说，非洲桃花心木树皮、草药汤剂和圣水被用于治疗分娩疼痛、产后护理和驱邪。在怀孕期间，人们认为这些是有益和必要的。尽管如此，保护一些传统做法的技术诀窍阻碍了传统卫生系统融入国家卫生系统。因此，有必要进行对话，促进两个卫生系统之间关于孕产妇健康的思想交流，以便更有效地制定和实施政策。
