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Title: | The Culture of Male Supremacy and Emergency Obstetric Care: The Nigerian Example |
Authors: | Aina, Olabisi I. Adewuyi, A.A. Adesina, Yinka Adeyemi, A. |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | African Anthropologist (ISSN 1024-0969) |
Volume: | 9 |
Issue: | 2 |
Period: | September |
Pages: | 157-182 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Nigeria |
Subjects: | gender relations pregnancy obstetrics Women's Issues Law, Human Rights and Violence Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Health and Nutrition Cultural Roles Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Sex Roles |
External link: | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/aa/article/view/23065 |
Abstract: | Using findings from a recently concluded study, this paper looks at the impact of the culture of male gender supremacy on women's reproductive rights and their total well-being. It explores the gender myths about pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, and the central role played by men in emergency obstetric conditions. The study was carried out in three rural towns (Odeomu, Ejigbo and Otan Aiyegbaju) in Osun State, Nigeria. The findings show that androcentric behaviour is a major determinant of pregnancy outcome, since men have almost absolute control over the choice of health care facilities used during pregnancy, the condition under which delivery takes place, diet during pregnancy, and the types of action taken in emergency obstetric conditions. Yet, most men lack knowledge of what constitutes emergency obstetric conditions, appropriate actions to be taken, and a shallow knowledge of pregnancy, fertility and family planning. The study instituted an intervention programme which was aimed at improving the knowledge of men in what constitutes emergency obstetric care, and also counselling on androcentric behaviours which may be detrimental to pregnancy outcomes, and the social dynamics of what constitutes a healthy family. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited] |