A Study to Assess the Traditional Practice and Beliefs on Postnatal Care among Tribal Habitat Residing in Selected Urban Community of North Bengal.

Abstract

Introduction: Tribal society has distinct traditional and cultural pattern during antenatal, childbirth, and postpartum period. The Hilly urban area of North Bengal is a home to various tribal women who have their own traditional beliefs and practices on postnatal care.

Aim: This study was aim to assess the traditional beliefs and practices of tribal postnatal mothers residing at selected hilly urban area of North Bengal.

Materials and Methods: The study was descriptive with non-purposive sampling technique. Sample taken for this study was 148 tribal postnatal mothers from Hilly area of North Bengal. Tribal postnatal mothers of these area beliefs and practices their traditional postnatal care, practiced from generation to generation by mother-in -law to daughter-in-laws during postnatal period.

Findings: The findings of the study are divided into beneficial, harmless, and harmful belief and practices, 95.6% exist beneficial beliefs related to food, rest and activity, separation, purification, and baby care and they practices the same. About 79.2% harmless beliefs and practices regarding food avoidance, separation of mother and baby from others visitors, wound care, and baby care. Harmful traditional beliefs and practices seen among tribal postnatal mother were avoidance of green vegetables and juicy fruits (91.1%), administration of prelacteal food like honey at birth was 77% and few (0.6%) still discard colostrum. There was significant association seen between belief and practice with religion (c2=8.12 at df (2), P ≤ 0.05), with occupation (c2=12.28 at df (1), P < 0.05), and with no. of children (c2=4.99 at df (1), P < 0.05). The study and its finding have immense implication in to create awareness in the community.

Conclusion: The study concludes that matter of issue can be raised to prevent harmful practices by counseling and evaluation of views of the mothers during reproductive life.