Traditional Beliefs and Applications about Pregnancy, Birth and Puerperium in Agilli Village of Nevsehir

AIM: This study was perfamed in Agilli Village of Nevsehir from March 2005 to May 2005, to define the traditional beliefs and application about pregnancy, birth and puerperium. METHOD: The population of this study consists of 350 women of Agilli Village, who had at least one living birth. Data of this study was collected via survey form created by the researchers. Percentage and Ki square tests were used in the analysis of the collected data. RESULTS: According to the results of this study; %31.5 of the mothers were between 18-30 years of age, %48.9 have no literacy, %22.3 were working as farmers. %60.3 of women had married before the age of 17, %20,7 had 5-9 pregnancies, %41,8 had 4-6 living children and %48.9 had large families. Also %62 had explained that their incomes were less than their expenses. %26.6 of women had stillbirth, %6 had abortion willingly, %51.6 who stated being protected from pregnancy were using traditional methods of birth control. Procedures used either for conceiving or for avoiding pregnancy were found to be mostly harmful. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is advisable that society should be educated how to get medical services, how to consult the medical personnel about this issue and conducting medical education of the society with the help of leaders of the village such as village headsman, teacher and imam. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(4): 343-348]