Traditional beliefs and practices during the puerperium

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Descriptive qualitative study was carried out to identify knowledge, attitudes and practices of women based on traditional beliefs during puerperium. Aims: To describe beliefs and practices by women during the puerperium, on hygiene, sexual practices & contraception, physical activity and food taboos. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study was conducted among Sinhalese, Buddhist women to identify beliefs and practices during puerperium following a normal vaginal delivery. Females admitted at CSTH during the months of September - December 2009 were selected. Three focus group discussions were conducted among women aged 25- 35 years, 45 - 55 years, over 65 years using a focus group study guide. RESULTS: Women abstained from bathing up to 1 month post delivery, to avoid clotting of breast milk. Substitute for bathing is fermentation of back, abdomen & breast with leaves. Water for bath is heated with sunlight for disinfection. Breast feeding is postponed until mother's hair dries completely after a bath. Clothes are disinfected by fumigation with herbs. Cloth straps worn around waist strengthen the abdominal muscles. Episiotomy care involves sitting in a warm salt-water tub, avoiding use of soap and fumigating the site with herbal fumes. Sexual abstinence is practiced for one to three months post partum. Strenuous activity and squatting is avoided in the peuperium. Major food taboos include coconut milk, oil, green leaves, saltwater fish, and pineapple and ana-malu banana. CONCLUSIONS: Families y pressurize younger females to conform with these practices. Older women consider these beliefs and practices as traditional. The basis of these beliefs and practices need further exploration.