Islamic perspectives of reproductive and maternal health: what role can Nigerian Muslim religious leaders play in the prevention of maternal mortality? –With Particular Reference to Zamfara State NorthWest Nigeria
Reproductive and Maternal health are an important components of public health and medicine which are concerned with the complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matters regarding reproductive system and health of mother especially during pregnancy.It implies ensuring that all...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia
2018
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/70249/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/70249/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/70249/1/70249_Islamic%20Perspectives%20of%20Reproductive.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/70249/7/70249_Islamic%20perspectives%20of%20reproductive_WOS.pdf |
| Summary: | Reproductive and Maternal health are an important components of public health and medicine which are
concerned with the complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matters regarding
reproductive system and health of mother especially during pregnancy.It implies ensuring that all women
receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. However,
according to World Health Organization, millions of women all over the world do not have access to good
quality health services during pregnancy and childbirth resulting in mortalities. Islam is a complete way of
life. The Qur’an and Hadith consider pregnancy and child bearing as signs among other signs of the divine
existence of Allah.The importance of maternal and reproductive is thus not unexplained in the Islamic
perspectives. The study look at what role Muslim religious leaders can play in the prevention of maternal
deaths and morbidities in developing countries. A qualitative study was conducted through in-depth
interviews and focus groups discussion with a purposive sample of some Muslim religious leaders from
Gusau local government area of Zamfara state northwest Nigeria in order to elicit information about the
Islamic perspectives of reproductive and maternal health and the roles they can play in the prevention of
maternal deaths among the Muslim communities. Muslim Religious leaders have a crucial role and
contribution for the attainment and maintenance of good heath of women and children among Muslim
communities through public enlightenment in the context of ‘ilm’, providing guidance through ‘Fatwah’
and community mobilization in the spirit brotherhood ‘ukhuwah’.Islam does not accept the “preventable
death of a woman” due to childbirth or pregnancy. Thus, Islam encourages attendance of antenatal care
visits and health care seeking. |
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