Taboos, Traditional Practices and Beliefs Affecting Pregnancy and Childbirth in Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto Region: A Rural Placement Experience of 2016 University of Namibia Fourth Year Nursing Oshakati Campus, Namibia

Taboos, traditional beliefs and practices can influence the health of the people. Pregnant and lactating women are the most affected by such taboos and cultural beliefs. This has a detrimental effect especially to their nutritional status. The purpose of this chapter is to describe taboos and traditional practices related to pregnancy and childbirth. There was no actual research done, but taboos and traditional practices were identified during rural placement of nursing students in rural health facilities. The results indicated that there are different taboos and traditional practices related to pregnancy and childbirth, some of them are beneficial and others are unfavorable to the health of the mother and the baby. There is a need for health care providers to strengthen health education on the importance of diet and also to educate mothers and community members on the taboos which have negative effect on the mother and babies.