Sociocultural Understanding of Miscarriages, Stillbirths, and Infant Loss: A Study of Nigerian Women

ABSTRACT

Miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant loss are a constant threat to Nigerian women. Little research has sought to understand the cultural silence and taboo that typifies these issues needs and its impact on the women. Drawing on 35 in-depth interviews with Nigerian women, this study explored the sociocultural understanding of perinatal loss among Nigeria women. A thematic analysis of the women’s narratives indicated that cultural norms and practices contribute to disenfranchised grief, which translates into ridicule and blame for women, identity loss, marital instability, and a feeling of despair. The findings point to a need for more empirical research into the grieving processes of diverse populations. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Disenfranchised grief
• pregnancy loss
• Nigerian women
• health narrative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adebanke Adebayo

Adebanke Adebayo is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication at George Mason University (GMU), Virginia. Her research interest is in public health communication as it relates to maternal and neonatal health in developing African nations, intercultural health, death and dying, and global health equity dialogue. She is currently researching and raising awareness about the adverse effects of climate change on maternal and neonatal health in developing African nations.

Min Liu

Min Liu is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies in the Department of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). With a background in public health and communication, her research efforts often examine issues at the intersection of health and culture, focusing on the realities and needs of vulnerable population groups. Topics of her recent projects include Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients’ communication with healthcare providers, Chinese women’s communication for safe sex and sexual pleasure, and competent patient communication for pharmacy professionals.

Wai Cheah

Wai Cheah is a Professor of Communication Studies in the Department of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). While his area of expertise is in health and public communication campaign design and evaluation, his research focuses on testing the influence of personality factors and cultural orientation on the effects of fear appeal messages, uncovering the lived experiences of LGBTQ individuals in Islamic Malaysia, and examining factors that influence Bosnian refugees’ cross-cultural adaptation in the St. Louis area. He teaches a variety of communication courses at SIUE.