Abstract
BackgroundHealth beliefs related to pregnancy and childbirth exist in various cultures globally. Healthcare practitioners need to be aware of these beliefs so as to contextualise their practice in their communities.ObjectivesTo explore the health beliefs regarding pregnancy and childbirth of women attending the antenatal clinic at Chawama Health Center in Lusaka Zambia.MethodThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey of women attending antenatal care (n = 294) who were selected by systematic sampling. A researcher-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.ResultsResults indicated that women attending antenatal care at Chawama Clinic held certain beliefs relating to diet, behaviour and the use of medicinal herbs during pregnancy and post-delivery. The main beliefs on diet related to a balanced diet, eating of eggs, okra, bones, offal, sugar cane, alcohol consumption and salt intake. The main beliefs on behaviour related to commencement of antenatal care, daily activities, quarrels, bad rituals, infidelity and the use of condoms during pregnancy. The main beliefs on the use of medicinal herbs were on their use to expedite the delivery process, to assist in difficult deliveries and for body cleansing following a miscarriage.ConclusionWomen attending antenatal care at the Chawama Clinic hold a number of beliefs regarding pregnancy and childbirth. Those beliefs that are of benefit to the patients should be encouraged with scientific explanations, whilst those posing a health risk should be discouraged respectfully.
Highlights
Health beliefs about childbirth are as old as human history itself (Gelis 1991:33–54)
There was no marked difference in the proportions of women who held the belief that eating eggs during pregnancy could cause the baby to be born without hair, compared with those who did not hold that belief (n = 158, 53.8% versus n = 119, 40.5%, respectively)
The same minor difference in proportions was seen regarding the belief that eating sugar cane during pregnancy caused the baby to have rough, dry and cracking skin compared with those who did not hold this belief (n = 133, 45.2% versus n = 146, 49.6%, respectively)
Summary
Health beliefs about childbirth are as old as human history itself (Gelis 1991:33–54). Most births take place in hospitals or delivery centres, where the available nurses, midwives and obstetricians follow the biomedical model of practice. In these countries, pregnancy is seen as a medical condition which is largely treated using the biomedical model, with scientific explanations of procedures involved as well as the complications that may occur (O’Leary et al 2007:861–862). In sub-Saharan Africa, studies have indicated that certain traditional practices and beliefs can pose a risk to the wellbeing of the mother and or child and may determine whether or not a woman will seek antenatal care (ANC) at a health facility (Kyomuhendo 2003:19; Maimbolwa et al 2003:37). Healthcare practitioners need to be aware of these beliefs so as to contextualise their practice in their communities
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