Sociocultural practices and beliefs during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum among indigenous pastoralist women of reproductive age in Manyara, Tanzania: a descriptive qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Despite interventions improving maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, progress has been sluggish, especially in hard-to-reach indigenous communities. Sociocultural beliefs in these communities more often influence the adoption of particular behaviors throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Therefore, this study identified sociocultural beliefs and practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum among indigenous pastoralist women of reproductive age in the Manyara region, Tanzania.

Methods: The study was a descriptive qualitative design. We used purposive sampling to select twelve participants among community members who were indigenous women of Manyara who had ever experienced pregnancy. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and organized manually. We used manual coding and inductive-deductive thematic analysis.

Results: The study's findings showed that sociocultural beliefs and practices are widespread, covering antenatal through childbirth to the postnatal period. Both harmful and harmless practices were identified. For example, the use of herbal preparations to augment labor was reported. Previously, most women preferred home delivery; however, the practice is changing because of increased knowledge of home delivery complications and the accessibility of the facilities. Nevertheless, women still practice hazardous behaviors like applying strange things in the birth canal after delivery, increasing the risk of puerperal infection.

Conclusions: Sociocultural practices are predominant and widely applied throughout the peripartum period. These beliefs encourage adopting specific behaviors, most harmful to both mother and fetus. These sociocultural practices tend to affect the utilization of some essential maternal and child health practices. Eliminating unsafe peripartum practices will increase the use of medical services and ultimately improve outcomes for both mothers and their newborns. Public health interventions must recognize the cultural context informing these cultural practices in marginalized indigenous communities. Healthcare providers should routinely take the history of commonly traditional practices during the peripartum period to guide them in providing quality care to women by correcting all harmful practices.

Keywords: Beliefs; Indigenous community; Peripartum period; Sociocultural practices; Tanzania.