Roles and responsibilities in newborn care in four African sites

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Newborn care practices are influenced by cultural norms and social structures.
• Understanding the roles of various caregivers is crucial for effective maternal and child health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diverse roles and responsibilities in newborn care during the intrapartum and early postpartum periods.
• To examine these dynamics across Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design utilizing in-depth interviews.
• Participants included mothers, grandmothers, fathers, health workers, and birth attendants.
• Data analysis involved content and framework analyses.

Main Results:

• Birth attendants were key decision-makers and caregivers during childbirth.
• Female family members and other birth attendants (traditional, spiritual, health workers) played significant roles in early newborn care.
• Mothers assumed full responsibility later, with first-time mothers needing additional support. Fathers financed care and held ultimate decision-making power, despite limited physical contact.

Conclusions:

• Interventions must broaden focus beyond the mother-child dyad to include all key caregivers and decision-makers.
• Engaging men in newborn care interventions holds significant potential for positive behavior change due to their established influence.