UNICEF, Experts Link Harmful Norms To Maternal Deaths In Bauchi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and health experts have identified harmful sociocultural norms as one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in  Bauchi.

The social behavioural change specialist with the Bauchi Field Office of UNICEF, Mr Eki George, made the assertion in a paper at an orientation for journalists in Bauchi.

George who said beliefs, traditions and norms strongly affect health practices, argued that unless the people change their approach, no meaningful improvement could be made.

He said in some cultures, a pregnant woman commits a taboo for practising facility childbirth, and those cultures promote unsafe traditional practices, highlighting stigma or misconceptions to prevent timely care.

On infant feeding, the expert said placing the baby on breast milk within their one hour of life protects them from many illnesses, acknowledging that delayed breastfeeding had the potential of exposing the child to danger.

Also, the Gender Desk officer, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Amina Balali, called on husbands to give express permission to their wives to seek medical care whenever the need arises.