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VOL. 12, ISSUE 6 (2025)
Postpartum abstinence among the baoulé of bendèkouassikro: Adherence, male resistance, and sociocultural challenges
Authors
Attia Michel Akabile, Kossia Grace Deborah N Guettia
Abstract
Postpartum abstinence is a deeply rooted
sociocultural norm in many African societies, particularly among the Baoulé of
Bendèkouassikro, where it is imposed on women to preserve their health and that
of the newborn. However, the role of men in the enforcement of this norm
remains underexplored, despite its direct influence on adherence and its
evolution. This study aims to analyze men’s adherence to postpartum abstinence,
their resistance, and the sociocultural implications of their behaviors. This
research adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach. Data were collected
through semi-structured interviews conducted with a sample of 28 participants,
including 17 recently delivered mothers aged 15 to 39 years and 11 male
partners. The sampling approach combined typical case sampling and simple
random sampling for mothers, while purposive sampling was used for men.
Thematic content analysis was employed to examine the data. The findings reveal
that postpartum abstinence is perceived as an exclusively female constraint,
leading to low male adherence. Men adopt various avoidance strategies, such as
voluntarily reducing the duration of abstinence and engaging in extramarital
relationships. This progressive challenge to the norm generates marital tensions
and fosters a transformation in cultural practices regarding postpartum
sexuality. These results highlight the need to involve men more actively in
maternal and postpartum health awareness programs to promote a more equitable
marital balance and a harmonious adaptation of traditional norms to
contemporary realities.
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Pages:64-68
How to cite this article:
Attia Michel Akabile, Kossia Grace Deborah N Guettia "Postpartum abstinence among the baoulé of bendèkouassikro: Adherence, male resistance, and sociocultural challenges". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 12, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 64-68
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