How Nigerian Health Workers View Spirituality in Childbirth

In Nigeria, spirituality plays a big role in how women experience childbirth. However, this aspect is often overlooked in primary healthcare settings. A recent study dug into why this happens and what could make it better. The study talked to ten female healthcare workers in Ogbomoso. Most of them were between 41 and 50 years old, Christian, and had been working for about 11 to 20 years. They shared their thoughts on the challenges and benefits of including spirituality in childbirth care. Some of the main issues they faced included worries about safety with spiritual items, loud prayers disturbing the ward, heavy workloads, lack of training on spiritual care, time pressures, and personal beliefs clashing with patients' needs.On the other hand, they also mentioned things that helped, like good relationships with patients, a calm and organized environment, allowing personal spiritual items, and supportive management policies. The study shows that while spirituality is important, there are many factors that make it hard to include in primary healthcare. To make things better, the study suggests more training, better staffing, clear policies, and guidelines that respect different cultures. This study highlights the need for a more holistic approach to maternal care. It's not just about medical care, but also about respecting and supporting the spiritual needs of women during childbirth.