Religion and Pregnancy: Post-Partum Mothers Religious Beliefs and Practices in an Urban Area in Southwestern Nigeria
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Abstract
Religiosity and health are inter-related especially within the African context where illnesses have been linked to spiritual effects many years ago.Pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon and an enjoyable period of a woman’s life and childbirth is an important phaseof her life.The aim of this study is to determine thereligious beliefs and practices in pregnancy and labor among post-partum mothers in selected primary health centers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Two health facilities were purposely selected. A descriptive cross-sectional design with the use of an adapted well-structured questionnaire was employed. One hundred and eighty-two (182) post-partum women who were selected using convenience sampling method participated in the study. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive (frequency, percentages and means) and Chi-square was used for observed differences and relationships between study variables. Result showed that 56% of the participants were within the age range of 24-28 years and 73.1% were Christians. Majority (78.6%) of women strongly agreed that God is the ultimate midwife. Also, 42.9%agreed that their prayers carry meaning and personal emotion while 52.7% believe God can deliver them safely without ante-natal care, 33.5% also believe that anointing oil or other drinks from religious leaders are more effective than hospital prescribed drugs while 21.4% were of the option that labour process (childbirth) is easier in maternity homes belonging to their faith. One-third (34.1%) of the participants indicated that they will not obey antenatal care directives if their religion says otherwise. Healthcare professionals especially midwives need tointensify their health teachings to pregnant women as well as the community at large on the importance of seeking ante-natal and post-natal care. So as to encourage their adherence to appropriate health practices thereby improving the health of mothers and babies.