Socio-cultural factors influencing women's reproductive health (WRH) in Katolo sub location, Kisumu district

Abstract

This study examined some of the factors influencing women's reproductive health (WRH) in Katolo sub-location of Kisumu district, Kenya. It was prompted by a recognition that women's health is of utmost importance for the socio-biological survival of humankind. Women bear children, care for them, and socialize them into a community's desired habits. They, in turn, mature into adults, parenting future generations. The focus of t he study was socio-cultural factors which influence community WRH in Katolo, including customary beliefs and norms. The overall aim was to generate empirical data on the subject, which could hopefully serve as a basis designing pragmatic intervention programmes, and probably provoke further inquiry into the problem. Four hypotheses were formulated to guide in identifying and analyzing the factors impinging on WRH in Katolo. Education and health awareness, customary beliefs and practices, and women's reproductive autonomy, were examined as the key variables explaining the WRH situation in the area. These were analyzed in the context of socialization and gender perspectives revealing the role of cultural ideology in sustaining certain cultural arrangements which impinge on community health. Data collected from 98 women respondents were analyzed electronically using the SPSS package. Interviews were also held with groups and key informants. The key findings of the study were that; first, age at: marriage had a bearing on women's knowledge and perceptions on reproductive matters, including associated illnesses. Older women age were more knowledgeable on such illnesses than younger women. Yet, the latter had higher chances of being victims of those illnesses. Second, women in Katolo perform heavy duties during pregnancy, including digging, weeding, carrying heavy loads and walking long distances. They do not perceive such duties as health hazards, for they have little or no option than to contend with a situation of 'absentee' male spouses. Third, women are affected by cultural beliefs as regards their nutrition and health. To some extent , food taboos determine their feeding habits during pregnancy. Fourth, women in Katolo are fairy gender sensitive. They however, have little autonomy over crucial decisions affecting their sexuality and fertility. They also have little or no say on whether or not to provide equal education opportunities to their children. Finally, the majority of women in Katolo do not use modern family methods largely because of 'fear' of their male spouses. They also poorly utilize modern child delivery, and instead utilize the services of TBAs. The studies most overriding recommendation is that there is need to design and implement programmes targeting WRH, pragmatic and comprehensive to alleviate the scenario portrayed in the study. It calls for a concerted efforts by all stake holders - the government, NGOs and the community to improve WRH and general community health in Kenya.