Submission ID 118370
| Issue/Objective | women of reproductive age, particularly pregnant women, face heightened vulnerability to climate change. Through the direct pathway, exposure to extreme heat can cause dehydration, potentially resulting in cardiovascular inefficiencies and complications during pregnancy. Through the indirect pathway, reduced access to nutrient-rich foods increases the risk of maternal undernutrition, which can manifest as anemia during pregnancy or low birth weight in newborns. This impact is heightened for people in rural settings and refugee communities. Our objective was to explore the use of indigenous knowledge in understanding the impact of climate change and adaptation to enable favorable pregnancy and childbirth outcomes. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We used oral history to study the lived experiences of rural and refugee communities with climate change. We held 13 focus group discussions in four districts of Uganda. |
| Results | Among these communities, climate change is recognized through its impact on the livelihood of the women. Although no consistent language was used to define it [climate change], the rural and refugee women had ways to predict climate adversities such as the use of the silver stone, and had existing indigenous ways routed in their traditional beliefs such as the role of rain makers, practices such as housing architecture to keep pregnant women cool in hot climates and social networks such as the role of the mother-in-law. These indigenous systems were vital in supporting women in reproductive age to enable good outcomes for pregnancy and childbirth. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Indigenous knowledge systems are often disregarded or seen as incompatible with modern healthcare approaches to management of pregnancy and childbirth. This study highlights their important role in favorable pregnancy and childbirth outcomes. Preserving the good practices has potential to contribute to reducing the impact of climate change on pregnancy and childbirth |
| Presenters and affiliations | Tracy Alexis Kakyo Muni University Imran EJOTRE Muni University Edson Mwebesa Muni University MONICAH ANDRU Muni University Richard Mangwi Ayiasi Muni University |
