Getnet Addisu, Figa Zerihun, Tarekegn Desalegn, Gido Rediet, Aschalew Tesfa Getanew
Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia.
School of Public Health, College Of Health Sciences and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia.
BMC Pediatr. 2025 Jan 11;25(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-05257-1.
Morbidity and mortality associated with congenital anomalies are higher in low-income countries. People's knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards congenital anomalies vary from community to community. In some communities, it is believed to be untreatable and the burden remains devastating. Studies addressing the societal perspectives were scarce, therefore this study aimed to explore beliefs and perceptions in the community about congenital anomalies.
This study was conducted in Southern Ethiopia, Dilla town from September to November 2023. A qualitative study with a community-based exploratory study design was implemented. A total of 33 participants who were selected conveniently among permanent residents of Dilla town were included. Data were collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The collected data were transcribed verbatim and translated into the English language. Data analysis was implemented thematically using Open Code 4.03 software. Finally, the result was presented descriptively based on the themes that emerged. Trustworthiness was ensured throughout the data analysis.
In this study, most participants poorly understood congenital anomalies. God's punishment, curse, parents' sin, magical practices and evil spirits, illness, lack of pregnancy care and contraceptive pills were the believed causes of congenital anomalies. The burden of congenital anomalies dismantles the social, economic, and psychological dimensions of the life of parents. In addition, the study identified attitudinal variations and doubts about treatment outcomes and prevention strategies of congenital anomalies.
This study highlights that people's perceived knowledge, beliefs, and awareness of congenital malformations were limited to socio-cultural and religious roots. Understanding beliefs and perceived knowledge would be significant in planning risk-reduction strategies. Hence health education, behavioral change communications, and information dissemination strategies should be strengthened at each community level.
低收入国家中与先天性异常相关的发病率和死亡率更高。人们对先天性异常的认知、信念和态度因社区而异。在一些社区，人们认为先天性异常无法治疗，其带来的负担仍然具有毁灭性。针对社会层面的研究很少，因此本研究旨在探讨社区对先天性异常的信念和认知。
本研究于2023年9月至11月在埃塞俄比亚南部的迪拉镇进行。采用了基于社区的探索性研究设计的定性研究方法。总共纳入了33名从迪拉镇常住人口中方便选取的参与者。通过面对面深入访谈和焦点小组讨论收集数据。收集到的数据逐字转录并翻译成英语。使用Open Code 4.03软件进行主题数据分析。最后，根据出现的主题进行描述性呈现结果。在整个数据分析过程中确保了可信度。
在本研究中，大多数参与者对先天性异常了解甚少。他们认为先天性异常的原因包括上帝的惩罚、诅咒、父母的罪孽、魔法行为和恶灵、疾病、缺乏孕期护理和避孕药。先天性异常的负担破坏了父母生活的社会、经济和心理层面。此外，该研究还发现了对先天性异常治疗结果和预防策略的态度差异和疑虑。
本研究强调，人们对先天性畸形的认知、信念和意识局限于社会文化和宗教根源。了解这些信念和认知对于制定降低风险策略具有重要意义。因此，应在每个社区层面加强健康教育、行为改变宣传和信息传播策略。
