Cultural, Social, Religious Beliefs & Practices in Pregnancy among Postnatal Women

Abstract

Abstract:Introduction: In most society pregnancy period is seen as a very vulnerable period for both the mother and the child. All cultures recognize pregnancy as a special transition period and many have particular cultural beliefs and customs that dictate activity and behavior during pregnancy. During pregnancy period our society practicing certain beliefs. Among the all kinds of beliefs some have beneficial effect, some have harmful effect & some belief have no effect on health. Results:The findings showed that the harmful beliefs regarding being pregnant, food, rest, hygiene, baby's sex, sexual relation aspect were present among women during pregnancy period (R-79%,U-74%).Harm less beliefs regarding being pregnant, protection from harm, hygiene, determining sex congenital anomaly, aspect were present in pregnancy period (R-83%,U-86%), Beneficial beliefs regarding food, ritual, rest, hygiene aspect were present in pregnancy period (R-93%,U-83%).The practices were seen in pregnancy period (R-88%,U-73%).There was a significant difference in belief among rural & urban women as evidenced by 't' test (t-2.36,t-2.18, t-11.32 at df 278 at p<0.05) in beneficial, harmless, harmful beliefs respectively. There was a significant difference in practice among rural& urban women (t-10.25) at 0.05level.Significant relationship(r-0.72, 0.50 at p<0.05) was seen between beliefs &practices in both area. Conclusion:The study concluded that, a concerned matter of issue can be raised to prevent the practices contrary with harmful beliefs by counseling and evaluation of views of the mothers during reproductive period.