Explanatory models of stillbirth among bereaved parents in Afghanistan: Implications for stillbirth prevention.

ABSTRACT: Local perceptions and understanding of the causes of ill health and death can influence health-seeking behaviour and practices in pregnancy. We aimed to understand individual explanatory models for stillbirth in Afghanistan to inform future stillbirth prevention. This was an exploratory qualitative study of 42 semi-structured interviews with women and men whose child was stillborn, community elders, and healthcare providers in Kabul province, Afghanistan between October-November 2017. We used thematic data analysis framing the findings around Kleinman's explanatory framework. Perceived causes of stillbirth were broadly classified into four categories-biomedical, spiritual and supernatural, extrinsic factors, and mental wellbeing. Most respondents attributed stillbirths to multiple categori

SUBMITTER: Christou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10284382 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature