Socio-Cultural Barriers and Support in Healthy Choices among Pregnant Women in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State
Abstract:
The high maternal mortality in Nigeria has stimulated a reexamination of the issue in order to identify subtle, yet profound socio-cultural variables that may be responsible for this perennial problem. For this reason, the study was designed to explicate maternal health from a socio-cultural context. Following from this framework, the overall aim of the study was to investigate the socio-cultural barriers and supports to healthy choices during pregnancy using the survey method and in-depth interviews to generate both quantitative and qualitative data respectively. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select three hundred and fifty (350) respondents who were administered questionnaire, from this sample twenty (20) respondents were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. All the respondents shared a common criterion of having given birth to at least a child in the last two years before the study. The result indicated that there is a high utilization level of health centers for antenatal and as a place of delivery. The result further show that some socio-cultural practices such as family supports, enlightenment campaigns, and education act as support to women therefore should be sustained. The study however, revealed that some socio-cultural variables are inimical to the health of women and their safety during pregnancy. Some of these variables include low family economic status, lack of education, gender role involving household chores, lack of prompt and inadequate medical attention, and lack of spouse support. Following from the findings of the study it is recommended that government policy should be directed to making maternal health care free at all level and creation of health posts where referral can easily be made. Also, there is the need to enlighten the men on the crucial role and obligations to their spouses during pregnancy. ORDER COMPLETE MATERIAL FROM CHAPTER 1-5
