Fattening "Nkuho" as Instrument of Women Empowerment and Fertility Control Among Calabar Women in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents some qualitative results of an extensive study on reproductive health. The geographical area of study was Calabar in South East Nigeria where the total fertility rate was found to be 2.4, which was less than the national average of 6.5. Certain practices were identified which might have contributed to this low fertility rate. These practices included the fattening culture, a monogamous marital life style, women empowerment through early education and the socio-political integration of women, prolonged breastfeeding, strong abhorrence of premarital sex and other practices that encouraged marital harmony as well as proper child care. Other undesirable practices like killing of twins were also prevalent. Today, abortions, vesico-vaginal fistulae, unwanted pregnancies and abandoned babies, which were hitherto rare, now constitute areas of concern among the people.


This study was conducted to explore and describe the experiences of women on the fattening room practices as an instrument of empowering women's reproductive rights.


Qualitative study of 28 women was done. Narratives and indepth interviews was used among four (4) geriatric women aged 65-80 years who underwent fattening room experience /exposure with a Quettelet index of over 35


Focus group discussions with 24 middle aged family planning nurses who had never experienced the process but had been briefed by their mothers, took part in the study


The fattening room practices have been abandoned since the beginning of the Nigerian civil war from 1966-70 but some beneficial effect on health had been identified which should be encouraged as a starting point for culturally sensitive reproductive right education


Key Words: Fattening room, Qualitative studies, reproductive rights


Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 44(2) 2003: 43-47