Childbirth practices and their impact on maternal health outcomes: A case for Gutu Rural District Council in Zimbabwe
Karen Chitamba · Norman Chitamba ORCID ↗ · Anos Chitamba
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science · 2026 · Vol. 14 / Issue 9 · 348-358
Publication metrics
External links open provider records or DOI searches. Provider counts are not combined. Mendeley readership measures saves, not citations.
Dimensions
Live provider badge. If unavailable, use the Dimensions link above.
Observed 21 Oct 2026, 07:22 UTC
Observed 21 Oct 2026 07:23 UTC
OpenAlex and Mendeley observations refresh on article visits, at most once per 24 hours. Unavailable data is not zero. Google Scholar opens a DOI search.
Citations received by this article, grouped by the year of the citing work. Crossref and OpenAlex lifetime totals remain separate in Publication metrics.
2017–2026 Annual history last updated:
Citations received
OpenAlex · year of the citing work
Hover over a year or focus the chart and use arrow keys to inspect values.
2017–2026 annual-history window. 2026 is year to date. Unknown years have gaps.
View data & coverage
2026 is incomplete. Within a successfully fetched ten-year window, omitted years mean zero. Years beyond a saved observation’s window remain unknown (—). Older citations are excluded, so this chart’s sum may differ from the OpenAlex lifetime total. The date above belongs to this annual history; an unsuccessful refresh keeps the previous observation.
Abstract
Maternal health outcomes in rural communities continue to be a significant global health challenge, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where maternal mortality rates remain markedly high. This study investigates childbirth practices and their influence on maternal health outcomes within the Gutu Rural District Council in Zimbabwe. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health framework and the Health Belief Model, a qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed to explore the lived experiences of 12 pregnant women and 5 village health workers. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with analysis conducted through thematic methods. The findings indicate a predominant reliance on traditional childbirth practices, limited use of skilled healthcare services, and cultural preferences such as traditional methods of placenta disposal, all of which significantly impact maternal health outcomes. These practices are shaped by socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs, and limited health literacy, contributing to increased risks of preventable complications and maternal mortality. The study recommends improving maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe through enhanced healthcare infrastructure, culturally sensitive health education, and increased community engagement. Specific suggestions include increased government investment in rural health facilities, awareness initiatives by non-governmental organizations, and the involvement of traditional leaders in promoting safe childbirth practices.
Keywords: {'name': 'Maternal Deaths, Mortality Rate, Post-Partum Complications'}
Authors & affiliations
Karen Chitamba
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Norman Chitamba
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Anos Chitamba
Durban University of Technology
Deposited references
Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.
DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S190402
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.33.005445
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12161555
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6091-4
DOI: 10.21203/rs.2.22678/v1
Bhandari, P. (2020). An introduction to quantitative research. https://www.scribbr.com/methodlogy/quantitative-research
DOI: 10.1037/13620-004
DOI: 10.1177/00333549141291S206
DOI: 10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.12.044
Champion, V. L., & Skinner, C. S. (2008). The health belief model. Jossey Bass.
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05536-2
Cresswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among the five approaches. SAGE Publications.
DOI: 10.26520/mcdsare.2020.4.181-187
DOI: 10.1136/fmch-2018-000057
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-011-9887-1
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.012809.103604
Golza, J., Noor, S., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Education and Language Studies, 1(1), 72–82.
DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107266
DOI: 10.53272/icrrd.v5i2.4
DOI: 10.4103/0300-1652.108890
Institute of Health Care Policy. (2019).
DOI: 10.1177/109019818401100101
DOI: 10.1177/1010539512437401
DOI: 10.1007/s40609-023-00273-y
DOI: 10.1089/whr.2021.0083
DOI: 10.31920/2634-3649/2024/v14n2a1
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031842
DOI: 10.1177/16094069231205789
DOI: 10.9734/ajpcb/2020/v3i128
Nikopoulou, K. (2022). What is convenience sampling? Definition and examples. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/convenience-sampling/
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1390301/v1
DOI: 10.1111/hir.12235
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01151-6
Pin, C. (2023). Semi-structured interviews (LIEPP Methods. Brief No. 4, 2023).
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03177-x
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146161
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-015-0652-7
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-86
DOI: 10.1186/s12874-016-0247-7
DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101038
DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12642
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (2022).
DOI: 10.55349/ijmsnr.2024432229
DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab058
DOI: 10.3390/youth2030030
World Health Organisation. (2022a). Maternal deaths. The Global Health Observatory: WHO.
World Health Organisation. (2022b). Trends in maternal mortality. WHO.
DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0553
Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. (2023). Government of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.