Traditional practices during pregnancy and childbirth among mothers in Shey Bench District, South West Ethiopia

Objective: Pregnancy and child birth is the most critical period in the health of women and children and the objective of this study was to explore traditional practices among mothers during pregnancy and delivery in Shey Bench District, South West Ethiopia, and we hope the evidence generated could benefit decision-makers and concerned bodies who are interested in this important public health issue. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study, which is an ideal approach when an uncomplicated description is desired that focuses on the details of what, where, when, and why of an event or experience, was conducted from March to May 2019 in Shey Bench District and a purposively selected 43 women have participated in the study. In-depth interviews and key informant interviews were conducted and data were analyzed by Open code 4.2 software and summarized following content analysis approach. Findings were narrated based on the major categories and study participants’ words were used as quotes. Results: In this study, it was found that mothers have experience of traditional practices mainly of abdominal massage, use of herbs, prohibition of some food types, and strenuous physical exercise during pregnancy and childbirth. As of the reasons; mothers reported as traditional practices help them to make the labor easy and fast, alleviate discomforts, and avoid unwanted big size of the fetus. Experience of health problem following practice of traditional practices like vaginal bleeding and child death were also reported. However, some study participants indicated as community members are changing their mind because of getting advice from health professionals. Conclusion: Although traditional practices were found to be exercised by mothers believing to get benefits, there were reports of health side effects on mothers and the fetus from applying abdominal massage, herbal medicine, food prohibition, and strenuous physical exercise during their pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, concerned working bodies shall design and implement necessary interventions, particularly health education programs to bring a better a change against harmful traditional practices.