Self-delay for Timely Antenatal Care, Rituals and Heavy-Handed in-laws: Cultural Practices Killing Pregnant Women in Zambia- Lundazi district
Abstract:
This study
examined socio-cultural practices surrounding maternal deaths in Lundazi district
–Zambia. The practices stealthily affect antenatal care received by antenatal women
with subsequent maternal complications and deaths. Four Focus Group Discussions
involving 40 members of Small Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) were conducted in
March 2018.This study found that pregnant women in Lundazi district- Zambia delay
to initiate antenatal care until 6th or 7th month of their
pregnancy. The reasons given include fear of witchcraft stealing the human embryo
for magic. Pregnant women are delayed further as they seek traditional medicines
from Traditional Healers for pregnancy protection. Other pregnant women cannot attend
antenatal care consistently because their mothers-in-law want them to do what is
considered beneficial for a woman traditionally- do house chores or join the team
going to the maize field. Late antenatal initiation is a crisis. It is an emergency
in waiting for which some pregnant women never recover.
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