title: Cultural childbirth practices, beliefs, and traditions in postconflict Liberia.
abstract: In this qualitative study we used an interpretive, critical ethnographic approach to provide an understanding of childbirth and maternal illness and death in Liberia through the lens of women, families, and communities. We identified three major themes from the data: (a) secrecy surrounding pregnancy and childbirth; (b) power and authority; and (c) distrust of the health care system. The interpretive theory, Behind the House, generated from data analysis provides an understanding of the larger social and cultural context of childbirth in Liberia. Our findings provide a more complete understanding of the contextual factors that impact on the intractable problem of maternal mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, USA. jrlori@umich.edu
authors.forename: Jody R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lori
authors.forename: Joyceen S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007988:Liberia; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult