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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Caring for the Unborn: Antenatal Care in a Socio-Cultural Context
Author:Olungah, OwuorISNI
Year:2006
Periodical:Mila: a Journal of the Institute of African Studies
Volume:7
Pages:21-31
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Kenya
East Africa
Subjects:pregnant women
maternal and child health care
Luo
Cultural Roles
Health, Nutrition, and Medicine
Sex Roles
Marital Relations and Nuptiality
Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health
Obstetrics--Social aspects
Luo (Kenyan and Tanzanian people)
Maternal health services
Abstract:This paper examines some of the pertinent sociocultural factors that influence the care of unborn babies among the Luo people of Bondo District, Kenya. Data was gathered from July 2002 to July 2003 through the direct observation and longitudinal follow-up of 25 pregnant women recruited in their fourth month of pregnancy and followed up till 6 weeks after delivery. A basic demographic questionnaire was also administered to 100 lactating mothers. The results indicate that cultural factors are a great impediment to proper care of the unborn and have a big bearing on the pregnancy outcome. Issues such as maternal diet, culturally prescribed avoidance, maternal workload, placental handling, cultural subordination of women, the institution of polygyny, as well as perceived poor treatment in health care clinics all combine to place a lot of burden on pregnant women. Recommendations for improvement of this situation conclude the paper. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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