Family Planning as A Determining Factor in Preference to Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Among Somali Community in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2021
Authors
Maina, Newton Kahumbi
Gitome, Josephine
Bagelman, Jennifer
Mainah, Muthoni
Kituku, Jacqueline M.
Mwoma, Teresa
Ndegwa, Priscilla
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
— Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices for Somali pregnant mothers in Dadaab Refugee camps. Research has revealed that during delivery, the Somali mothers prefer the services of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to those of midwives in hospitals. The preference for TBAs is borne of the belief that when women deliver in hospitals, they could be subjected to family planning against their will. The contention is that Islam and socio-cultural practices of the Somali community do not advocate family planning. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Islam’s position on family planning in order to explain the response of the Somalis of Dadaab refugee camps on family planning. Methodology & Theoretical orientation: The paper is derived from a qualitative study that involved snowball sampling, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought out family planning as a determining factor in the mother’s choice of TBAs as opposed to hospital midwives in Dadaab Refugee camps. Findings: Any discourse on Islam and family planning offers two perspectives: proponents of family planning and opponents of family planning. Both perspectives use the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith (traditions) and different interpretations to justify and support their respective positions and opinions. Through primary and secondary sources, the paper interrogates both perspectives of family planning in Islam. Conclusion & Significance: It is concluded that the Somalis’ belief on family planning is informed by the two perspectives of family planning, but the opponents’ perspective holds sway. This determines the preference for TBAs for fear that mothers who deliver in hospitals could be subjected to family planning contraceptives. Recommendation: there is need to educate the community further on Islamic teachings on family planning; and more sensitization conducted on the benefits of child spacing
Description
This is a revised paper that was presented at the International Congress on Midwifery and Maternal Health, May 19-20, 2021, Webinar. It was initially presented in the Conference on Digital Innovation & Maternal Health Care for Migrant Mothers at Daadab Refugee Camp, Kenya, held on 3rd& 4thFebruary 2021, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya.
Keywords
al- ‘Azl (coitus interruptus or withdrawal), Family planning, Hadith, Islam, Prophet Muhammad, Qur’an, Somali, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs)
Citation
Maina, N. K., Gitome, J., Bagelman, J., Mainah, M., Kituku, J. M., Mwoma, T., & Ndegwa, P. (2021). Family Planning as A Determining Factor in Preference to Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Among Somali Community in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya. European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(6), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejsocial.2021.1.6.126