title: Indigenous beliefs and practices that influence the delayed attendance of antenatal clinics by women in the Bohlabelo district in Limpopo, South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore and describe the indigenous beliefs and practices that influence the attendance of antenatal clinics by women in the Bohlabelo district in Limpopo, South Africa
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative design was used to enable participants to share their beliefs and practices in their own words. Purposive sampling was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who were attending antenatal clinics for the first time were targeted. Data were collected via unstructured in-depth interviews. Twelve women were interviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings were grouped into six main categories: pregnancy is a honour; pregnancy needs to be preserved; the unborn infant is protected; the knowledge that clients have; trust in indigenous perinatal practices; and perceptions regarding clinic or hospital services. It became clear that the indigenous beliefs and practices of pregnant women have an influence on their attendance of antenatal clinics. For example, factors such as fear of bewitchment cause delayed attendance of antenatal clinics. Women use herbs to preserve and protect their unborn infants from harm. They also trust the knowledge of traditional birth attendants, and prefer their care and expertise to the harsh treatment that they receive from midwives in hospitals and clinics who look down on their indigenous beliefs and practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is recommended that indigenous beliefs and practices should be incorporated into the midwifery curriculum, so that the health sector is able to meet the needs of all members of the community.
authors.affiliation: Family Health International.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ngomane
authors.forename: Fhumulani Mavis
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mulaudzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D044382:Population Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000208:ethnology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology*; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult