Sacred birth, clean hands : infection prevention as ritual and practice among traditional birth attendants in Mayuge district, east central Uganda.

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dc.contributor.authorKagoya, Enid Kawala
dc.contributor.authorAuma, Proscovia
dc.contributor.authorMugabi, Joshua
dc.contributor.authorKawala, Elizabeth
dc.contributor.authorAsabawebwa, Deogratias
dc.contributor.authorMugahi, Richard
dc.contributor.authorWaako, Paul
dc.contributor.authorMugabe, Kenneth
dc.contributor.authorBarugahare, Banson
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-17T13:51:55Z
dc.date.available2026-07-17T13:51:55Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionResearch article
dc.description.abstractThis study explored how Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in rural Uganda implement infection prevention and control (IPC) through a blend of cultural traditions and hygiene practices. Using ethnographic methods, including interviews and observations, it found that TBAs view cleanliness as both a sacred obligation and a critical part of protecting maternal health. Despite facing limited training and resources, TBAs showed a strong commitment to infection prevention, positioning them as essential yet often under-recognized actors in maternal care. Introduction The study investigated IPC practices among TBAs in rural Uganda, situating them within a broader cultural and spiritual framework. It emphasized how TBAs integrate traditional knowledge with selected biomedical practices to ensure maternal safety. This intersection of ritual and hygiene highlights the TBAs' central role in rural maternal healthcare. Objective The main objective was to explore how TBAs interpret, adapt, and implement IPC practices by drawing from both cultural beliefs and biomedical hygiene principles in the context of rural Uganda. Methods A qualitative research approach was used, involving in-depth interviews and direct observations with 15 TBAs in Mayuge District. Data collection focused on everyday IPC practices such as waste disposal, hand hygiene, and use of protective materials. Thematic analysis helped identify recurring patterns and contextual challenges in IPC implementation. Results The findings revealed that TBAs practice IPC through a hybrid model that blends ritual and hygiene. Placenta disposal, symbolic use of gloves, and improvised handwashing with soap, herbs, or oil were common. Despite limited formal training, TBAs showed innovation and commitment to safe deliveries, although resource scarcity and misalignment with formal guidelines posed challenges. Conclusion The study highlighted the creative and spiritually informed IPC strategies of TBAs in rural Uganda, showing how they skillfully navigate material shortages and cultural expectations. These frontline caregivers operate with dedication and contextual intelligence, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive training and support to enhance maternal and newborn outcomes in under-resourced settings. Keywords: Traditional Birth Attendants, Infection Prevention and Control, Maternal Health, Uganda, Ritual Hygiene, Hybrid Care Practices, Ethnography, Community Health, Safe Delivery, Cultural Beliefs
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health ; Busitema University.
dc.identifier.citationKagoya, E. K., Auma, P., Mugabi, J., Kawala, E., Asabawebwa, D., Mugahi, R., Waako, P., Mugabe, K., & Barugahare, B. (2025). Sacred Birth, Clean Hands: Infection Prevention as Ritual and Practice among Traditional Birth Attendants in Mayuge District, East Central Uganda. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6457438/v1
dc.identifier.urihttps://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/8061
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherResearch Square
dc.titleSacred birth, clean hands : infection prevention as ritual and practice among traditional birth attendants in Mayuge district, east central Uganda.
dc.typeArticle
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