The Role of Culture in Maintaining Post-Partum Sexual Abstinence of Swazi Women

Zinhle Shabangu and Sphiwe Madiba
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Zinhle Shabangu: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Sphiwe Madiba: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Eswatini is one of the countries in the African continent where post-partum sexual abstinence is practiced. Beside scarcity of research exploring sexual abstinence in Eswatini, there are only a few studies that explore post-partum abstinence across HIV-positive and negative women in sub-Saharan Africa. The study explored the practice of post-partum sexual abstinence in Swazi women and examined how cultural beliefs influence and promotes the perpetuation of the practice. The study population consisted of post-partum women who were selected, using purposive sampling. Thematic approach was used for data analysis. Despite feeling that the period for post-partum, sexual abstinence was long; the participants adhered to the practice as prescribed by their culture. Nevertheless, they felt that the practice is imposed on women only because while they are observing post-partum abstinence, their partners get to sleep with other sexual partners. They raised concerns that the practice increases the risk of acquiring HIV and sexually transmitted infections. There is an element of coercion to the practice of post-partum abstinence, the myths and misconceptions around the early resumption of sexual intercourse forces the practice on women. At the family and community level, the discussions to change the way sexual abstinence is viewed and practiced are crucial.

Keywords: Eswatini; cultural beliefs; sexual abstinence; post-partum; social norms; practices; Theory of Planed Behaviour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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