Influence Of Cultural Beliefs On The Use Of Postnatal Care Services In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma Urban District

ABSTRACT

This study assesses an influence of cultural beliefs on the use of postnatal care (PNC). Despite its importance and service coverage, the use of maternal PNC has remained low in Tanzania. The study examines women’s awareness on the use of PNC within 42 days post-delivery; determines the percentage of women who uses PNC within 42 days post-delivery and identifies cultural beliefs and how they influence use of PNC in Dodoma Urban District (DUD).

A descriptive cross section study was carried out in Dodoma Urban District in Tanzania with a sample of 100 women using semi- structured questionnaires to generate demographic information, women’s awareness on PNC, attendances to PNC within 42 days post-delivery and the cultural beliefs. The data was processed and analyzed using a Scientific Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Microsoft Excel 2007 was used in presentation of the findings.

This study found that indoor confinement and use of traditional herbs are major cultural beliefs influencing the use of PNC negatively. Cultural beliefs perpetuated by low level of awareness on maternal PNC in DUD community due to lack of maternal PNC information among delivery mothers and the information barrier towards the use of PNC in formal health care facilities. Subsequently this contributed to an overall low use of PNC in Dodoma Urban of 37%. Moreover, harmful practices such as extremely hot water use for baths and body sponging which increases hemorrhage risks to delivery women was found in this study.

Finally this study recommend to the Ministry of Health to invest in awareness rising campaign through mass media, increase staff ratios and schedule PNC awareness during antenatal visits, furthermore CHMT and DMO office should budget also for awareness program by using ward health committee members and basic health care attendants to trample information barrier within the community and services evaluation periodically from the user's perspective to maintain the quality of services.