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African Anthropologist © 1999 by Paul Nchoji Nkwi is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
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The Culture of Male Supremacy and Emergency Obstetric Care: The Nigerian Experience
Abstract
The maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria remains one of the highest in the world (WHO, 1990). Many intervention programs in this area have failed to achieve the desired purpose because efforts have been mainly in the area of hospital care or service delivery, without due cognisance being given to the androcentric behaviour which affects maternal roles, especially the dynamics of decision-making when emergency obstetric care service becomes necessary,
Using findings from a recently concluded study, the paper looks at the impact of the culture of male gender supremacy on women's reproductive rights and their total well-being. It explores the gender myths about pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, and the central role played by men in emergency obstetric conditions.
The study. which is an action-oriented study, was carried out in South-western Nigeria, by a multi-disciplinary research group, using a variety of data collection techniques – questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussions, direct observation, and exposure to educative materials – posters, talks/discussions, films, drama etc, Study findings showed that androcentric behaviour is a major determinant of pregnancy outcome, since men have almost absolute control over the choice of health care facilities used during pregnancy, the condition under which delivery takes place, diet during pregnancy, and the types of action taken in emergency obstetric conditions. Yet, the study found that most men lacked knowledge of what constitutes emergency obstetric conditions, appropriate actions to be taken, and a shallow knowledge of pregnancy, fertility and family planning. The study instituted an intervention program which was aimed at improving the knowledge of men in what constitutes emergency obstetric care. and also counselling on androcentric behaviours which may be detrimental to pregnancy outcomes, and the social dynamics of what constitutes a healthy family.
(The African Anthropologist: 2002 9 (2): 157-182)
Using findings from a recently concluded study, the paper looks at the impact of the culture of male gender supremacy on women's reproductive rights and their total well-being. It explores the gender myths about pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, and the central role played by men in emergency obstetric conditions.
The study. which is an action-oriented study, was carried out in South-western Nigeria, by a multi-disciplinary research group, using a variety of data collection techniques – questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussions, direct observation, and exposure to educative materials – posters, talks/discussions, films, drama etc, Study findings showed that androcentric behaviour is a major determinant of pregnancy outcome, since men have almost absolute control over the choice of health care facilities used during pregnancy, the condition under which delivery takes place, diet during pregnancy, and the types of action taken in emergency obstetric conditions. Yet, the study found that most men lacked knowledge of what constitutes emergency obstetric conditions, appropriate actions to be taken, and a shallow knowledge of pregnancy, fertility and family planning. The study instituted an intervention program which was aimed at improving the knowledge of men in what constitutes emergency obstetric care. and also counselling on androcentric behaviours which may be detrimental to pregnancy outcomes, and the social dynamics of what constitutes a healthy family.
(The African Anthropologist: 2002 9 (2): 157-182)
