Influence of Culturally-based Abdominal Massage and Antenatal Care Uptake among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Abdominal massage in pregnancy has been reported for thousands of years in many societies and cultures all over the globe. They have been mostly culturally based and benefits to the pregnant women have been claimed, however this is a subject for scientific evaluation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and influence of abdominal massage among pregnant women, despite the accessibility of antenatal care.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire administered on pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State.

Results: A total of 150 pregnant women were interviewed at booking. The mean age of the women was 29.9±5.1 years, 34% had tertiary education. The mean gestational age at booking was 28.8±7.4 weeks and the median parity was 2.0000. Among the respondents 78% had abdominal massage in the index pregnancy; 32.5% and 35% weekly and monthly respectively. Abdominal massage was not free, fees were paid. Majority 64.1% had complaints after the massage. Among the respondents 48.7% had abdominal massage by TBAs (traditional birth attendants). Meanwhile, 22.2% had abdominal massage because it was the usual cultural practice of pregnant women, others 18.8% had massages because they sought relief for abdominal pain.

Conclusion: Majority, ¾ of the respondents preferred and had regular abdominal massage in concurrent with antenatal. It’s therefore evident, that abdominal massage has tremendously influenced our expecting women’s attitude towards antenatal uptake; in spite of its associated implications on feto-maternal performance reported in an earlier studies in the Niger Delta Hence adequate education and advocacy is necessary in respect to singular and consistent uptake of modern antenatal care.