Customs and practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period in the Kilimanjaro area, Tanzania

Introduction: Here, we report the traditions, customs, and beliefs of rural women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period in rural Tanzania, and discuss how they compromise between traditional and modern perceptions of maternity care and experiences. Methods: A focus group interview with nine women who have children under 5 years old was conducted by a midwife researcher（ one of the authors） in Rombo, a village in the Kilimanjaro region, in Tanzania, in December 2009. The interview was translated from the local language into English and transcribed. The data were assessed by describing and categorizing as pregnancy, childbirth, after childbirth, and feeding of the baby. Results: The women recognized the importance of institutional delivery, but also appreciated cultural practices related to childbirth. Goats, bananas, local beer made from bananas, and kanga（ Tanzanian pareu or wraparound skirt） were important items not only for pregnancy and childbirth, but also for daily life in the study area. They integrated medical approaches by health professionals and traditional approaches by the family in childbirth. Conclusions: A transition gap regarding the modern and traditional practices was not clearly observed as in urban areas in the present study area, but it is possible that the same conditions will arise in this area in future. It is necessary to take traditional customs and practices into consideration to improve women’s satisfaction regarding childbirth and delivery