Sociocultural practices fuel maternal, infant deaths in Nigeria
By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
Sociocultural norms have been identified as a major contributor to maternal mortality in Nigeria, with Bauchi among the states recording high rates.
This was highlighted by Mr. Eki George, a Social and Behaviour Change Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund, during an orientation programme for journalists in the state.
Gender dynamics continue to play a critical role in determining whether women seek healthcare or deliver in health facilities, particularly in parts of Bauchi State where many women still require their husbands’ permission before attending antenatal care.
George explained that deeply rooted beliefs, traditions, and cultural practices significantly influence health-seeking behavior.
He stressed that without a shift in these societal attitudes, meaningful progress in reducing maternal deaths would remain difficult.
According to him, in some communities, facility-based childbirth is wrongly perceived as taboo, with cultural norms encouraging unsafe traditional practices.
He noted that stigma and misconceptions often delay or prevent women from accessing timely and appropriate medical care.
Speaking on infant nutrition, George emphasized the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, noting that early breastfeeding helps protect newborns from various illnesses.
He warned that delays in breastfeeding could expose infants to serious health risks.
He further advocated for the transformation of gender norms that restrict women’s mobility and access to information, stating that such changes are essential to promoting positive health-seeking behaviors in communities.
Also speaking, the Gender Desk Officer at the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Amina Balali, urged husbands to grant their wives timely permission to seek medical care whenever necessary.
Balali added that a woman’s level of education plays a significant role in her healthcare decisions, noting that educated women are less likely to depend on spousal approval before seeking care during pregnancy
She, said the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) is making strides in addressing maternal mortality in Bauchi State.
Balali highlighted the initiative’s objectives, successes, and challenges since its implementation in 11 local government areas of Bauchi, and noted that the federal government-driven intervention has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of a MAMII taskforce, which has improved emergency transportation systems for pregnant women in rural communities.
According to her, the initiative has also empowered community members, including commercial motorcyclists, who transport pregnant women to health facilities for delivery and receive a payment of ₦10,000 per woman.
Additionally, Balali said, healthcare providers have been trained, and essential commodities such as oxytocin, and magnesium sulphate, among others have been supplied to health facilities.
She disclosed that the initiative has also provided free mama kits to pregnant women, containing essential items for delivery.
She stated that the initiative plans to intensify awareness creation to encourage more women to deliver in health facilities.,

