Maternal health is the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period which is crucial for the well-being of a mother and new born baby. Unfortunately, most women in Ethiopia do not receive these services due to perceived traditional beliefs and practices. Apparently, women in Raya Alamata district have no exception. Astonishingly, the issue of maternal health seems to have not been explored in detail so far in the district in particular. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to investigate the traditional maternal health beliefs and practices in Southern Tigray: The case of Raya Alamata District. The researcher employed qualitative data collection methods like Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant and in-depth interview. The study population was the reproductive rural women (15-49) who live in Raya Alamata district. The sample was selected from three Tabia by using judgmental sampling technique. The qualitative data are analyzed by using thematic analysis in verbatim. According to the findings of the study, perceived cultural barriers such as religious and traditional health beliefs and practices such as Zarr, confinement, Mejilis, Dubarti, food taboos and restriction of mobility after delivery were highly affecting the maternal health seeking behavior of rural women.

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Maternal health care service utilization is one of the components of the reproductive and child health interventions package with the aim of improving both maternal and child health. It is the health of the women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to investigate the perceived socio economic barriers to maternal health seeking behavior of rural women in Raya Alamata District. In doing so, the researcher employed qualitative methods substantiated by the quantitative data. In doing so, a sample of 359 HH units was selected from three 'Tabias' by using simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis whereas the quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics. According to the findings of the study, perceived social barriers such as shortage of qualified health workers, ill behavior of health workers, student's internship and poor quality of maternal health services influence the health seeking behavior of the rural women of the study area. On the other hand, the perceived economic barriers such as access to resources, working conditions and cost of transportation and medical treatment also influence maternal health seeking behavior of the women of the study area.

Maternal health is the physical wellbeing of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. It reflects the level of social justice and the degree of respect for women's rights in a society. Therefore, aim of this study is to identify the socioeconomic factors that promote Maternal Health Seeking Behavior (MHSB) among rural women of Raya Alamata districts. To conduct this study, the researcher used qualitative research design. Hence, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant and in-depth interview were conducted with purposively selected participants from the three Tabias. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze and interpreted the qualitative data. Finally, the influence of media, the deployment of Health Extension Workers (HEWs), the contribution of social network and social capital, the provision of Maternity Waiting Rooms (MWRs) for birthing women, pregnant women conference, the establishment of women Health Development Army (HDA) and one to five groups were the major factors that promote MHSB of rural women of the study area. Moreover, the availability of ambulances, fear of HIV infection and punishment (fine) are factors which facilitates women to have birth in modern health institutions.