Perceived Health Implications Of Harmful Traditional Practices On The Health Of Women Among Women Of Uruan Local Government Area Of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceived health implications of harmful traditional practices on health of women among women of Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Two hundred and ten women were randomly selected from seven villages in Uruan Local Government Area. Data were collected using a researchers’ developed questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using percentages to answer research questions. The result of the study showed that women in Uruan Local Government agree that there are health implications of harmful traditional practices which include among others, injury to reproductive organs during delivery in case of Female Genital Mutilation. Women are prone to developing hypertension because of the treatment meted to them at the death of their husbands. Also, women are exposed to mental depression because of not having male children for their husbands. Based on these findings, the researcher recommends among other things, that government and non-governmental organizations carry out campaign against these harmful traditional practices against women, and women could be encouraged to get quality educations.