Cultural perspectives on maternal deaths among the Basoga of eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring and analyzing the cultural beliefs and explanations of maternal deaths among the Basoga. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing rituals performed by the Basoga on maternal deaths, and the influence of modernity and Christianity on Busoga society’s cultural context of maternal deaths. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm alongside an ethnographic design. The study population included the relatives of the deceased, cultural leaders, community leaders, and Traditional birth attendants. A sample size of 25 respondents was used for the study. Individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation methods were mostly used in the field during data collection. In this study, the researcher used a semi-structured interview guide, a focus group discussion guide, and an observation guide as data collection tools. The study findings indicate that Busoga society holds unique cultural beliefs and explanations for maternal deaths, they believe so much in witchcraft, and attribute maternal deaths to malevolent intent directed towards expectant mothers, often by jealous or vengeful individuals within their social circle. There is need to emphasize spiritual and cultural interventions alongside biomedical care for maternal health. Many rituals are performed on maternal deaths, including the last funeral rites. These practices serve as cultural expressions of mourning and respect for the deceased, these rites are thought to ward off death that might target other mothers in the same family maternally. Modernity and Christianity have influenced the Basoga society’s cultural context of maternal deaths. With modernity, infrastructures, science, and technology have been developed. These have helped the expectant mothers to access proper medical care rather than relying on belief in witchcraft that leads them to access treatment from a shrine which do not have adequate medical care. The researcher concluded that the Basoga hinge on the cultural explanations for maternal deaths, despite the existence of bio-medical hospitals.