Implications of some Cultural Practices on Maternal Mortality: A Study of some Selected Rural Areas of Kano State Nigeria (original) (raw)

The major aim of this study was to examine some selected cultural practices affecting maternal mortality among married women of reproductive age in rural areas of Kano state. A multistage selection sampling process involving cluster and simple random sampling methods were used in selecting 1,120 women between the ages of 15 and 49 for questionnaire administration in 4 local government areas of Kano state namely Bichi, Gaya, Kibiya and Shanono. Similarly, purposive sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for the IDI and participants for the FGDs. Both primary and secondary data were utilised in the study. The primary data gathered through questionnaire were analysed quantitatively while the data gathered through FGDs sessions and IDI were qualitatively analysed to complement and support the quantitative analysis The major findings of the study indicates that marternal mortality is associated with early marriage, preference for home delivery, nutritional status of women and lack of decision making power of women. The study therefore, concluded that to understand the problem of maternal mortality as a whole, we must understand the influence of some cultural practices on maternal health. It is based on this that the study recommends that a robust enlightenment campaign be carried out to educate men and women in the society particularly those in the rural areas on the harmful cultural practices that are detrimental to the health of women in their reproductive ages. The study also suggest that policies geared towards uplifting women's status in the society should be encouraged and enforced. This can be done by vigorously pursuing girl child education in Kano State.