Women In Benin Research Articles

Meet the Author

Erica Bleeg earned an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago and an M.F.A. in Nonfiction from the University of Iowa. This essay is her first publication. She is currently completing a proposal for a book, "Out of Obscurity," about her experiences working with Bariba women in Benin to form a cooperative. Click for larger view Erica Bleeg

Obstetrical choice among urban women in Benin

This study examined the relationship between occupational status and reproductive behavior specifically the preference for delivery assistance. The data were derived from 144 urban women in Parakou Benin who represented 3 subgroups: 1) those currently employed in a cashew-processing factory 2) pregnant women attending a districit maternity clinic and 3) pregnant women interviewed at their homes. Options for delivery in Parakou include a hospital maternity center 2 private clinics or home delivery. The percentage of home deliveries in the sample was 22% which is lower than that found in the general population in Parakou (40%). 93.5% of all home births in the sample involved Bariba women suggesting that ethnicity plays an important role in reproductive patterns. However both Bariba and non-Bariba women indicated that a hosptial delivery was preferable to a home delivery due to increased safety. Job-related factors such as fringe benefits obtained if the child received a birth certificate also were reported to influence reproductive decision making. The concentration of home births among Bariba women may reflect the historical maldistribution of resources in Benin which has led to lower educational levels and a lack of infrastructure in the north compared to the south. Also important is the meanind of birth in Bariba culture. Women who manage to deliver without calling for assistance are held in high esteem. Moreover the presence of medical personnel at delivery is considered to interfere with the detection and disposal of witch babies. This research suggests that type of employment opportunities and obsterical care preferences are not directly correlated.