A qualitative focus group study concerning perceptions and experiences of Nigerian mothers on stillbirths

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

R. Milton¹  K. Hood¹  B. Pell²  F. I. Alkali³  A. Kassim⁴  A. S. Mukaddas⁴  F. M. Tukur⁴  F. H. Sa’ad⁵  K. C. Iregbu⁶  F. Modibbo⁷  J. Sanders⁸  P. Ghazal⁹ 

[1] Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK;Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Intervention for Public Health Improvement, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK;Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria;Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria;Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria;Department of Medical Microbiology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria;Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria;School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK;Systems Immunity Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK;

关键词: Stillbirth;    Stillborn;    Sub-Saharan Africa;    Nigeria;    Northern Nigeria;    Female;    Mothers;    Healthcare;    Preventable mortality;    Experiences;    Cultural;    Thematic analysis;    Focus groups;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12884-021-04207-4

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

ObjectiveTo explore the experiences and perceptions of stillbirth among mothers from a tertiary medical centre in Kano, Northern Nigeria.DesignQualitative, interpretative.SettingTertiary healthcare facility, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano, Northern Nigeria.SampleMothers who had given birth to a liveborn baby at the MMSH in the prior 6 months (n = 31). In order to capture the experiences and perception of stillbirth within this cohort we approached mothers who had in a previous pregnancy experienced a stillbirth. Of the 31 who attended 16 had a previous stillbirth.MethodsSemi-structured Focus Group Discussions, consisting of open-ended questions about stillbirth, beliefs, experiences and influences were held in MMSH, conducted over 1 day.ResultsOur findings highlight that this is a resource-poor tertiary facility serving an ever-growing population, increasing strain on the hospital and healthcare workers. Many of the participants highlighted needing permission from certain family members before accessing healthcare or medical treatment. We identified that mothers generally have knowledge on self-care during pregnancy, yet certain societal factors prevented that from being their priority. Judgement and blame was a common theme, yet a complex area entwined with traditions, superstitions and the pressure to procreate with many mothers described being made to feel useless and worthless if they did not birth a live baby.ConclusionsAs access to healthcare becomes easier, there are certain traditions, family and social dynamics and beliefs which conflict with scientific knowledge and act as a major barrier to uptake of healthcare services. The findings highlight the need for investment in maternity care, appropriate health education and public enlightenment; they will help inform appropriate interventions aimed at reducing stigma around stillbirth and aide in educating mothers about the importance of appropriate health seeking behaviour. Stillbirths are occurring in this area of the world unnecessarily, globally there has been extensive research conducted on stillbirth prevention. This research has highlighted some of the areas which can be tackled by modifying existing successful interventions to work towards reducing preventable stillbirths.

【 授权许可】

CC BY