Social and Cultural perceptions of Antenatal Care among Pregnant Women and Their Husbands in Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.4314/rasp.v8i1.13Mots-clés :
Consultation prénatale, perceptions sociales et culturelles, femmes enceintes, marisRésumé
La consultation prénatale constitue un élément fondamental de la santé de la reproduction et un levier majeur de la réduction de la morbidité et de la mortalité maternelles et néonatales. Cette étude, réalisée dans la province du Maniema, vise à analyser les perceptions sociales et culturelles de la consultation prénatale afin d’identifier les déterminants favorables ou défavorables à son recours et de proposer des stratégies adaptées au contexte local. Une approche qualitative a été adoptée, reposant sur des entretiens semi-directifs et des discussions de groupe menés auprès de femmes enceintes et de leurs maris, afin de croiser les points de vue. Les résultats montrent une perception ambivalente de la consultation prénatale. D’une part, elle est reconnue comme bénéfique pour le suivi de la grossesse, la prévention des complications et la protection de la mère et de l’enfant. D’autre part, certaines conceptions traditionnelles la considèrent comme inutile, la grossesse étant perçue comme un phénomène naturel pouvant être pris en charge par les soins traditionnels ou la prière. Les maris, souvent principaux décideurs, jouent un rôle central dans l’accès aux soins : leur soutien favorise la fréquentation, tandis que la pudeur, la crainte du dépistage du VIH ou la délégation des responsabilités aux femmes limitent leur implication. L’influence de la belle-famille, des dirigeants religieux et des pairs est également déterminante. Le renforcement de la paire-éducation, l’implication des maris, les campagnes communautaires et l’engagement des leaders religieux s’avèrent des stratégies clés pour améliorer le recours à la consultation prénatale.
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(c) Copyright José ASSANI TUTU, Ramazani Imani , Léon Cyprien Ngandu wa Ngandu, Marie claire Omanyondo Ohambe 2026
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