Tradition and modernity in Cameroon: the confrontation between social demand and biomedical logics of health services.
This paper examines the cultural acceptability of biomedical obstetrical services and care across an anthropological literature review and a qualitative survey carried out in North Cameroon. The results reveal that cultural acceptability of biomedical services is impaired by a series of requirements such as a too early first prenatal visit; use in common of delivery rooms, wards and obstetrical tools; the absence of traditional healing like massage after delivery; refusal to hand over the placenta and umbilical cord to the family; and hindering the presence of family members during delivery. These evidences support a transition from normative medical system to an efficient and flexible medical system related to the expectations of the population established with its participation. This is commonly called patient-centred care.
Beninguisse
Gervais
G
Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Santé (GRIS) and Unité de Santé Internationale, University, of Montreal, Edifice Saint-Urbain, 3875 rue Saint-Urbain 5e etage, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1V1, Canada. gervais.beninguisse@umontreal.ca
De Brouwere
Vincent
V
D002163:Cameroon; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000592:standards*; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology