Abstract:
Background: Cultural malpractices are socially shared perspectives and traditionally accepted
behaviors experienced in a certain society that harm maternal health.In Ethiopia, about 18% of
infant deaths occur due to cultural malpractice. However, evidence of cultural malpractice during
the postnatal period is not well understood in Ethiopia, particularly in West Hararghe. Moreover,
there is no study conducted on cultural practice during the postnatal period in this study area.
Objective: To assess the magnitude and factors associated with cultural malpractice among
mothers attending postnatal care within six weeks after delivery at Gelemso General Hospital,
WestHararge, Eastern Ethiopia, from December 30-January 30, 2023/2024.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 407 mothers
attending postnatal care at Gelemso General Hospital. The study participants were selected by
systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested and structured
interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.6
and exported to Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 27 for analysis. Descriptive
statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of the participants. Bivariable and
multivariable logistic regression analyses were fitted to identify factors associated with the
outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios along a 95% confidence interval were used to report the
result and show the strength of the association. A p-value <0.05 was used to declare a significant
association. The results were presented using figures, tables, graphs, and text.
Results: The study revealed that the magnitude of cultural malpractice during the postnatal
period was 70.0% (95% CI: 65%, 74%). Lack of ANC visit (AOR= 3.3; 95% CI: 1.03, 10.27),
partner’s being a farmer (AOR= 7.4; 95% CI: 2.11, 26.48), distance to health facility (AOR=3.6;
95% CI: 1.68, 7.65), having greater than 5 alive children (AOR=3.5; 95% CI: 1.25, 9.84) were
factors significantly associated with cultural malpractice during the postnatal period.
Conclusions and Recommendation: This study noted that more than two-thirds of participants
committed cultural malpractice during the postnatal period. Therefore, emphasizing the importance of
ANC follow-up, and encouraging home visits of postnatal mothers by professionals especially
for those rural residents and remoter to health facilities may contribute to reducing the cultural
malpractice.
