Cultural beliefs and health-seeking practices: Rural Zambians’ views on maternal-newborn care

Background

Far too many newborns die or face serious morbidity in Zambia, as in many other sub-Saharan African countries. New knowledge is needed to enhance our understanding of newborn care and the cultural factors influencing the ways mothers seek newborn care. This study adds to the literature about rural Zambians’ cultural beliefs and practices related to newborn care and health-seeking practices that influence maternal-newborn health.

Data were collected between June and August 2016 in 20 communities located in Zambia’s rural Lundazi (Eastern province), Mansa, and Chembe (Luapula province) Districts.