The Influence of Social-Cultural Determinants on Maternal Mortality Rate among Pregnant Women in Babati District–Tanzania.

Kinambike,, Yusuph (2025) The Influence of Social-Cultural Determinants on Maternal Mortality Rate among Pregnant Women in Babati District–Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study titled ―The Influence of Socio-Cultural Determinants on Maternal Mortality Rate among Pregnant Women in Babati, Tanzania‖ examined how social and cultural factors contribute to maternal mortality and explored pregnant women’s perceptions of these influences. It was guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) theory and employed a pragmatic philosophy with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 400 participants using unstructured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 23 alongside thematic analysis. Findings revealed that major social factors influencing maternal mortality in Babati include low socioeconomic status (22%), marital status, and early marriage (18%). The study also found that 87% of respondents were aware of how social and cultural issues affect maternal mortality rates. On the cultural side, many pregnant women still prefer home deliveries assisted by traditional doctors and elderly women, followed by postdelivery rituals. These practices, coupled with misunderstandings and negative attitudes toward modern healthcare, increase maternal health risks. The findings further indicated that male dominance in decision-making restricts women’s autonomy in seeking professional maternal health services. The study concluded that tackling maternal mortality requires addressing both social and cultural barriers. It recommends that the government invest in community sensitization and mobilization to eliminate harmful traditional practices, promote positive health-seeking behaviors, and involve men as change agents in supporting women’s reproductive health rights and safe childbirth practices. Keywords: Social-Cultural, Maternal Mortality, Pregnant Women, Women.

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