Post-partum practices among women in Calabar, Nigeria
Ekanem, A.D.; John, M.E.; Ekott, M.E.; Udoma, E.J.
Tropical Doctor 34(2): 97-98
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 15117138 DOI: 10.1177/004947550403400214Document Number: 238138
We carried out a study on post-partum practices amongst women in Calabar, Nigeria, between 1 March and 31 May 2002. A total of 300 women seen in the maternal and child health clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were interviewed. 193 (64.3%) women resumed coitus prior to 6 weeks of puerperium. There was no significant difference in parity (P=0.20) and educational status (P=0.10) between women who resumed coitus earlier than 6 weeks and those who resumed later. One out of every 10 women resumed coitus without any contraception. The majority (n=212, 70.7%) sat in hot water (sitz bath) to aid perineal wound healing and improve vaginal tone.