Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study
Abstract Background Explicit and implicit cultural patterns are critical cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that determine women’s health-seeking behaviour. These cultural patterns could limit women’s use of maternal health services, resulting in maternal health complications. The study aims to...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Uchechi Clara Opara Peace Njideka Iheanacho Pammla Petrucka |
| author_facet | Uchechi Clara Opara Peace Njideka Iheanacho Pammla Petrucka |
| author_sort | Uchechi Clara Opara |
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| description | Abstract Background Explicit and implicit cultural patterns are critical cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that determine women’s health-seeking behaviour. These cultural patterns could limit women’s use of maternal health services, resulting in maternal health complications. The study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of explicit and implicit cultural patterns, their meanings and how they influence women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria. Methods Roper and Shapira’s (2000) focused ethnography was employed with 43 women aged 18–43 years recruited using the purposive and snowballing technique. The study was conducted with 21 women for one-on-one interviews and two focus group discussions with six women in the rural area and seven women in the urban area. In addition, participant observation of nine women from the third trimester to birth was conducted, yielding 189 h of observation in two primary healthcare facilities in rural and urban areas. Data analysis was conducted using Roper and Shapira’s (2000) method. Result Three themes were generated using the PEN3 cultural model: perceptions, enabler, and nurturers. Subthemes generated under the theme of perception were, Belief in witchcraft, Pregnancy announces itself, I cannot tell people I am in labour, and Unspoken acquiescence to the culture. Under the theme of nurturer, Home birth was found to limit access to maternal health services. The theme of enabler yielded subthemes such as You are not woman enough; I want my placenta and Rising matriarchs. Conclusion Implicit and explicit cultural patterns significantly influence women’s use of maternal health services. Given the complexity of culture and its influence on women’s use of maternal health services, multifaceted strategies tailored to the cultural needs of communities are needed to enhance the realization of Sustainable Development Goal #3:1 in Nigeria. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-f2b894d0ae7d464fb3b79542d98da1ab2025-01-19T12:42:17ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111710.1186/s12889-025-21275-9Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic studyUchechi Clara Opara0Peace Njideka Iheanacho1Pammla Petrucka2College of Nursing, University of SaskatchewanDepartment of Nursing Sciences, University of NigeriaCollege of Nursing, University of SaskatchewanAbstract Background Explicit and implicit cultural patterns are critical cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that determine women’s health-seeking behaviour. These cultural patterns could limit women’s use of maternal health services, resulting in maternal health complications. The study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of explicit and implicit cultural patterns, their meanings and how they influence women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria. Methods Roper and Shapira’s (2000) focused ethnography was employed with 43 women aged 18–43 years recruited using the purposive and snowballing technique. The study was conducted with 21 women for one-on-one interviews and two focus group discussions with six women in the rural area and seven women in the urban area. In addition, participant observation of nine women from the third trimester to birth was conducted, yielding 189 h of observation in two primary healthcare facilities in rural and urban areas. Data analysis was conducted using Roper and Shapira’s (2000) method. Result Three themes were generated using the PEN3 cultural model: perceptions, enabler, and nurturers. Subthemes generated under the theme of perception were, Belief in witchcraft, Pregnancy announces itself, I cannot tell people I am in labour, and Unspoken acquiescence to the culture. Under the theme of nurturer, Home birth was found to limit access to maternal health services. The theme of enabler yielded subthemes such as You are not woman enough; I want my placenta and Rising matriarchs. Conclusion Implicit and explicit cultural patterns significantly influence women’s use of maternal health services. Given the complexity of culture and its influence on women’s use of maternal health services, multifaceted strategies tailored to the cultural needs of communities are needed to enhance the realization of Sustainable Development Goal #3:1 in Nigeria.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21275-9CultureBeliefsPracticesNormsQualitative researchMaternal health services |
| spellingShingle | Uchechi Clara Opara Peace Njideka Iheanacho Pammla Petrucka Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study BMC Public Health Culture Beliefs Practices Norms Qualitative research Maternal health services |
| title | Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study |
| title_full | Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study |
| title_fullStr | Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study |
| title_short | Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women’s use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study |
| title_sort | visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women s use of maternal health services among igala women in nigeria a focused ethnographic study |
| topic | Culture Beliefs Practices Norms Qualitative research Maternal health services |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21275-9 |
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