Cultural Aspect of the Society: Traditional Practices of Mother and Baby Care during Post-Partum Period and the Relevant Examples from the World

Abstract

Culture is defined as values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors and manners and customs learned, shared and transferred by a group of people from one generation to another. People’s beliefs and practices concerning health constitute a part of the society’s culture where they live. Today, these practices, called as traditional practices, still continue to be used in different regions and cultures. Prenatal care services including medical practices during pregnancy, birth and puerperial periods are also important in terms of traditional practices. As known; while biological factors and health services directly affect mother and baby mortality; traditions, family income, ecological environment, socio-economic and physical settings indirectly affect mother and baby mortality. At the same time; mothers’ lack of knowledge about mother and baby care or their incorrect traditional knowledge and practices may cause them to be sick, may prolong recovery period and even may result in morbidity and mortality. Therefore; it is important to know mothers’ mother and baby care practices and the factors that affect these practices. Nurses should play an active role in knowing these traditional beliefs and practices used by the society, in identifying and eliminating those harmful ones and in protecting those harmless and beneficial ones and in a sense should act to protect the cultural and traditional elements.