An exploration of the indigenous neonatal care practices of mothers and caregivers in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Background South Africa is amongst countries with high neonatal mortality rates. The Department of Health has introduced strategies to promote good neonatal care practices within the healthcare institutions around the country. On the other hand, different communities throughout the country still adhere to their own indigenous neonatal care practices in caring for their neonates at home after discharge from clinics/hospitals. Some of these practices could prove to be beneficial to the neonates’ health, while others may pose a health risk to the very neonates. Purpose The study explores and describes indigenous neonatal care practices of mothers and caregivers in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Methodology A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design approach was employed to collect data from 18 participants situated in three Makhado villages across Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Given the heterogeneity of both the participants and the research sites, the purposive and snowball sampling methods were used for their selection according to the researcher’s predetermined range of criteria. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were made use of in collecting data over an interrupted period of two weeks (one week in August 2019 and another in February 2020) at Siloam District Hospital’s post-natal ward and at the participants’ homes in selected villages of Makhado district. Additional to the interview guide, an audio recorder and field notes were also utilised to maximise the data collection instruments, after which the same data was analysed according to its emerging patterns of themes and sub-themes. Findings The study found that indigenous health practices were the primary mechanism for caring for neonates in Vhembe District, and that not all such practices were harmful or unsafe. This study revealed further that women use indigenous neonatal care practices across age groups, social standing and level of education. Younger mothers receive guidance from the older women in their family or community, but also adopted biomedical options to some extent.