The Impact of Traditional Practices and Customs on Pregnant Women and Newborn Mothers’ Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors at Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Health Levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtmbr.v8i1.%25xKeywords:
Traditional practices, maternal health, Sierra Leone, healthcare-seeking behavior, primary healthcare, cultural beliefs, Cultural Sensitivity, Newborn HealthAbstract
Introduction: This study investigates the influence of traditional practices and customs on healthcare-seeking behaviors among pregnant women and newborn mothers across different healthcare levels in Bo District, Sierra Leone. Understanding the impact of these customs is crucial for developing culturally sensitive maternal and neonatal health strategies.
Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied, involving 500 participants (pregnant women and newborn mothers) from urban and rural settings. Data was collected using the Ona mobile application through structured surveys. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression to evaluate primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare utilization. The qualitative analysis explored the cultural context of healthcare decisions.
Results: Traditional practices were acknowledged by 52.40% of respondents, and 40.40% actively participated in customs such as herbal remedies, ceremonies, and traditional birthing practices. These practices significantly influenced the preference for primary (OR = 2.45, p < 0.01) and secondary (OR = 1.78, p < 0.05) healthcare facilities. Regression analysis indicated that integrating traditional practices into healthcare policies positively impacted healthcare-seeking behavior (β = 0.42, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Traditional beliefs play a significant role in healthcare-seeking behavior, particularly at primary and secondary health levels. Integrating these practices into modern healthcare policies is essential for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes and fostering a more culturally sensitive healthcare system.
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