Spurring the Uptake of Maternal Healthcare Services in Culturally Endowed Communities in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Kemoi, Cheboi Solomon
Nyamilu Mailu, Kimeu Anastasiah
Kibaara, Rucha Kenneth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences
Abstract
Enhancing the well-being of the mother and
newborn is an explicit goal in health. Of the most legendary
neglected influencer is patient centered requirement. The hope for
people-oriented maternal health interventions in societies is hinged
on cultural differentials therefore, contextualizing beliefs, values
and expectations is important. A study to identify maternal
healthcare services needs amongst women in Marakwet
communities was undertaken.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an explorative qualitative
study. A stratified list of cultural subgroups was developed and used
to purposively select study participants. Twelve focus group
discussions (FGDs) and fourteen key informant interviews (KIIs)
were undertaken. Data was collected using semi-structured FGD
and KII guides. The data was analyzed using five steps of
conventional content analysis.
RESULTS: The finding of the study revealed that support and care
during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and postpartum are systematic
defined informational, instrumental and emotional processes
pivoted by individual and society pathways. Social-cultural needs
include continuous pregnancy and labor care, companionship,
elective delivery methods, placenta interpretation, placenta disposal,
newborn celebration, privacy and mother-child welfare services.
Choice of delivery assistant is a dynamic social construct informed
by cultural values such as initiation, age, gender and experience.
Health behavior dynamics is therefore context-dependent,
embodied by social network and social support as well as
psychological and physiological expectation.
CONCLUSION: Women maternity needs are multiple and diverse.
Adapting care to meet the contextualized individual and community
needs may spur positive maternal health seeking behaviour among
women and assist healthcare workers to provide culturally
competent care to improve health outcomes. Educational outreach
and behaviour change communications to demystify and tackle
retrogressive cultural practices should be increased.
Description
Article
Keywords
Needs, pregnancy, maternal health, care seeking behaviour, Marakwet
Citation
Kemoi, C. S., Mailu, K. A. N., & Kibaara, R. K. (2020). Spurring the uptake of maternal healthcare services in culturally endowed communities in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya. Ethiopian Journal of health sciences, 30(2).