TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTICES IN MOUNTAIN, PLAIN AND SEASIDE REGIONS OF ADANA IN TURKEY: MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH Traditional Health Practices about Maternal and Infant Health

Yıl 2013, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 3, 21 - 29, 01.12.2013

Şule Gökyıldız , Sultan Alan Melike Öztürk Refiye Okuşluk Şenesen

Öz

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the traditional medical practices about maternal and child health in mountain, plain, and seaside regions of Adana, and collect information regarding this issue to hand down the knowledge gathered to next generations. Method: Target population of the study which was designed as a qualitative one is the people who are settled in Adana. The study was conducted with 10 participants who were born and have been living in mountain, plain, and seaside regions of Adana, who did not have communication problems, and who volunteered to participate in the study. Results: It was found that people residing in mountains, seaside, and plains used various traditional health practices for maternal and child health. These practices were collected under three main headings: “practices in the prenatal period” “practices during delivery” and “practices in the postpartum period”. Some of these practices are useful, some of them are harmful, and some of them are neither harmful nor useful. Conclusions: Health professionals should inform people to whom they provide health care regarding women health, pregnancy check-ups, delivery help, and postpartum care services pertaining to the disadvantages of traditional practices and advantages of modern medicine. In this regard, it is essential for health professionals to have knowledge of the traditional practices as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and use this knowledge effectively in their profession.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Traditional practice, maternal health, infant health, labor, newborn, antenatal period, intranatal period, postnatal period.

Kaynakça

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• Appendix: List of Reference Persons (RP)
• Date of birth, occupations, educational background and residing places of the reference persons are as follows:
• RP1. 1940, traditional midwife, illiterate, Saimbeyli.
• RP2. 1945, traditional midwife, illiterate, Saimbeyli.
• RP3. 1933, horse doctor, literate, Saimbeyli.
• RP4. 1955, housewife, primary school, Saimbeyli.
• RP5. 1923, traditional midwife, illiterate, Feke.
• RP6. 1935, traditional midwife, illiterate, Yumurtalık.
• RP7. 1928, farm worker, literate, Karatas.
• RP8. 1940, housewife, literate, Karatas.
• RP9. 1926, housewife, illiterate, Kozan.
• RP10. 1952, housewife, secondary school, Seyhan.