Childbirth in Nigeria

Childbirth practices in Nigeria vary between urban and rural areas, traditional and modern medicine, and among ethnic and religious groups.[1] As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria has one of the highest fertility rates, with an estimate of 9.22 million births annually.[2] The country faces significant challenges in maternal and child health, accounting for approximately 20% of global maternal deaths.[3]

Cultural practices

Traditional beliefs and practices play a significant role in childbirth across Nigeria. In many rural areas, women rely on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) who offer culturally accepted methods and home delivery services. Herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and postnatal confinement are common among various ethnic groups.[4][5]

In contrast, urban areas show an increasing reliance on hospital births and trained midwives. However, traditional beliefs may still influence decision-making around antenatal care and delivery location.[6][7]

Healthcare access and facilities

The Nigerian healthcare system comprises public and private sectors, but access to quality maternal care is uneven. Urban centers tend to have better-equipped hospitals, trained professionals, and emergency services, while rural communities often lack such infrastructure.

Efforts to promote Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA)[8] and Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care[9] have had limited reach, particularly in northern regions. Poverty, transportation challenges, and low health literacy contribute to delays in seeking and receiving care.

Government policies and initiatives

Several initiatives have aimed to reduce maternal and infant mortality:

  • National Health Policy: Promotes reproductive health services and access to skilled healthcare workers.
  • Midwives Service Scheme (MSS): Launched in 2009 to deploy midwives to rural communities.[10]
  • Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF): Seeks to improve funding for primary healthcare, including maternal care.[11]

International bodies such as the WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA collaborate with Nigeria to strengthen maternal health outcomes.

Challenges

Despite progress, childbirth in Nigeria is fraught with challenges:

  • Maternal mortality: Estimated at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (as of 2020).[12]
  • Infant mortality: High rates, especially in underserved areas.
  • Gender inequality: Limits women's autonomy in health decisions.
  • Inadequate infrastructure: Shortage of hospitals, staff, and essential supplies.
  • Cultural barriers: Preference for traditional methods and skepticism toward modern healthcare.

Improvements and innovations

Mobile health (mHealth)[13] platforms, community health extension workers, and maternal education campaigns have shown promise in bridging gaps. Programs like MamaCare, Safe Motherhood Initiative, and others have helped increase awareness of safe delivery practices.

Conclusion

Childbirth in Nigeria reflects the broader socio-economic and healthcare disparities within the country. While policy reforms and public health campaigns have made strides, sustained investment and culturally sensitive interventions are necessary to improve maternal and child health outcomes across all regions.

See also

References

  1. ^ Opara, Uchechi Clara; Iheanacho, Peace Njideka; Petrucka, Pammla (13 January 2025). "Visible and invisible cultural patterns influencing women's use of maternal health services among Igala women in Nigeria: a focused ethnographic study". BMC Public Health. 25 (1): 133. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-21275-9. PMC 11727540. PMID 39806330.
  2. ^ Izugbara, Chimaraoke O.; Wekesah, Frederick M.; Adednini, Sunday A. (2016). Maternal Health in Nigeria: A Situation Update (PDF). African Population and Health Research Center.
  3. ^ Ope, Beatrice Wuraola (18 May 2020). "Reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria: addressing maternal health services' perception and experience". Journal of Global Health Reports. 4. doi:10.29392/001c.12733.
  4. ^ "Situation of women and children in Nigeria". www.unicef.org. Archived from the original on 2024-12-24. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  5. ^ Akinwumi, Adebowale Femi; Ijadunola, MacellinaYinyinade (2022). "Outcome of Increment in User Fees on Utilization of Maternal Health Services in an Urban Comprehensive Health Centre, South-West, Nigeria". Nigerian Medical Journal. 63 (5): 402–408. PMC 11165324. PMID 38867750.
  6. ^ Aynalem, Bewket Yeserah; Melesse, Misganaw Fikrie; Bitewa, Yibelu Bazezew (May 2023). "Cultural Beliefs and Traditional Practices During Pregnancy, Child Birth, and the Postpartum Period in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study". Women's Health Reports. 4 (1): 415–422. doi:10.1089/whr.2023.0024. PMC 10460962. PMID 37645589.
  7. ^ Amutah-Onukagha, Ndidiamaka; Rodriguez, Monica; Opara, Ijeoma; Gardner, Michelle; Assan, Maame Araba; Hammond, Rodney; Plata, Jesus; Pierre, Kimberly; Farag, Ehsan (2017). "Progresses and challenges of utilizing traditional birth attendants in maternal and child health in Nigeria". International Journal of MCH and AIDS. 6 (2): 130–138. doi:10.21106/ijma.204. PMC 5777388. PMID 29367889.
  8. ^ Tiruneh, Gizachew Tadele; Karim, Ali Mehryar; Avan, Bilal Iqbal; Zemichael, Nebreed Fesseha; Wereta, Tewabech Gebrekiristos; Wickremasinghe, Deepthi; Keweti, Zinar Nebi; Kebede, Zewditu; Betemariam, Wuleta Aklilu (2018). "The effect of implementation strength of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) on facility deliveries and the met need for BEmONC at the primary health care level in Ethiopia". BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 18 (1): 123. doi:10.1186/s12884-018-1751-z. PMC 5932776. PMID 29720108.
  9. ^ Tiruneh, Gizachew Tadele; Karim, Ali Mehryar; Avan, Bilal Iqbal; Zemichael, Nebreed Fesseha; Wereta, Tewabech Gebrekiristos; Wickremasinghe, Deepthi; Keweti, Zinar Nebi; Kebede, Zewditu; Betemariam, Wuleta Aklilu (December 2018). "The effect of implementation strength of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) on facility deliveries and the met need for BEmONC at the primary health care level in Ethiopia". BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 18 (1): 123. doi:10.1186/s12884-018-1751-z. PMC 5932776. PMID 29720108.
  10. ^ Abimbola, Seye; Okoli, Ugo; Olubajo, Olalekan; Abdullahi, Mohammed J.; Pate, Muhammad A. (2012). "The midwives service scheme in Nigeria". PLOS Medicine. 9 (5): e1001211. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001211. PMC 3341343. PMID 22563303.
  11. ^ "Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) – NPHCDA". Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  12. ^ Ajegbile, Mopelola Lauretta (13 October 2023). "Closing the gap in maternal health access and quality through targeted investments in low-resource settings". Journal of Global Health Reports. 7. doi:10.29392/001c.88917.
  13. ^ Iyengar, Sriram (2020). "Mobile health (MHealth)". Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth. pp. 277–294. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-814309-4.00012-4. ISBN 978-0-12-814309-4.
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