Women's lived social-cultural and clinical experiences and navigation process after stillbirth in Dodoma Region, Tanzania: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND

In Tanzania, stillbirth is a public health challenge. The care provided to women after stillbirth does not reflect standards. Little is known on view of the social and clinical human experience surrounding this tragedy. This study explored women lived social-cultural and clinical experiences and the navigation process after stillbirth in Dodoma.

METHOD

A phenomenological qualitative approach was conducted from February 15, 2024, to May 30, 2024, involving in-depth interviews with 12 informants (postnatal women) who were purposefully selected, achieving data saturation at 9 informants. Data were transcribed verbatim, manifest coded, and analysed using conventional content analysis. Subsequently, sub-categories and main categories were generated. At the theorizing phase, the conceptual interpretation of categories and subcategories were used to generate the conceptual framework that describes the phenomenon of women's navigation process from the experienced life challenges towards maintaining the overall well-being after stillbirth.

RESULTS

The study identifies six main categories of exposure, each with three subcategories: ① Unsatisfactory medical care (dissatisfaction with medical care, neglected bereavement care, and improper breaking of information); ② Diversity and adversity in cultural practices (dominance of elders' power, diversity of cultural practice and emotional responses); and ③Diversity in social practices (diversity of social responses towards the news, diversity in social responsibilities and diversity experience after social responses), ④ Meaning constructed after still birth (unpleasant phenomenon of stillbirth, all suffering for nothing, the baby could be saved), ⑤ Mental and physical health challenges (anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical burden of still birth), ⑥ Navigating the stillbirth experiences (self-coping, social support and hospital support).

CONCLUSION

The study found that women who experience stillbirth face significant social, cultural, and psychological challenges that impact their perception and meaning of their world and their mental wellbeing. Ultimately, they invariably navigate to a state of well-being. This highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions and dedicated healthcare and social support systems to help mothers recover smoothly and swiftly.