Sains Malaysiana 48(5)(2019): 1055–1064

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4805-14

 

The ‘Irrational’ Taboos and ‘Irrelevant’ Traditions Related to Postpartum Women’s Health and Well-Being

(Pantang Larang dan Tradisi ‘Tidak Rasional’ dan ‘Tidak Relevan’ Berkaitan dengan Kesihatan dan Kesejahteraan Wanita Postpartum)

 

WONG CHIN MUN, FAIZ BIN DAUD*, LAVANYAH A/P SIVARATNAM & DIANA SAFRAA SELIMIN

 

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

 

Diserahkan: 9 September 2018/Diterima: 27 Februari 2019

 

ABSTRACT

Taboos and traditions refer to myths and non-scientific practices held by people across the world. A variety of taboos are practiced worldwide (including those relating to food, religious, and sexual beliefs), including in Malaysia. Most of the taboos that concern the postpartum period are related to postpartum physiological, emotional, and family dynamic changes. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the traditions and taboos practised among postpartum mothers in Malaysia, and to consider the purpose and health impact of their practice. A systematic search of journals in Malaysia was conducted using eight major databases: Scopus, Ovid Medline, Science Direct, SAGE, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost. Articles from all journals published between 2013 and 2018 were assessed through the PRISMA checklist. From 17,945 papers screened, seven papers were selected for critical analysis using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (2018). It was found that in Malaysia, certain postpartum traditions, including food taboos and behavioural and physical restrictions were conducted with the aim of maintaining the well-being of mother and baby, and to improve the healing process. Some of the practices were found to be irrelevant, whilst others had beneficial health impacts. Based on this review, the practice of certain taboos and traditions during the postpartum period was found to have both advantages and disadvantages. A rational approach is needed to weigh the practice against maternal safety and health. Thus, healthcare personnel should be sensitive to the role of taboos and traditions in the postpartum care of patients. The practice of traditions and taboos should be monitored for safe practice, along with a need for community-based education to avoid any unwanted issues as a result of its practice.

 

Keywords: Malaysia; postpartum taboo; postpartum traditional practices; taboos; traditions

 

ABSTRAK

Pantang larang dan tradisi merujuk kepada mitos dan amalan bukan saintifik yang dipercayai oleh masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Pelbagai pantang larang diamalkan di seluruh dunia (termasuk yang berkaitan dengan makanan, kepercayaan agama dan seksual), termasuklah di Malaysia. Kebanyakan pantang larang bagi tempoh postpartum berkaitan dengan postpartum fisiologi, emosi dan dinamik perubahan keluarga. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneroka tradisi dan pantang larang yang diamalkan para ibu postpartum di Malaysia dan mempertimbangkan kesan kesihatan dan tujuan amalan yang dilakukan. Carian sistematik dalam jurnal di Malaysia dijalankan menggunakan lapan pangkalan utama: Scopus, Ovid Medline, Science Direct, SAGE, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar dan EBSCOhost. Artikel daripada semua jurnal yang diterbitkan antara tahun 2013 dan 2018 dinilai melalui senarai semak PRISMA. Daripada 17,945 kertas yang disaring, tujuh kertas kerja telah dipilih untuk analisis kritikal menggunakan Alat Penilaian Kaedah Campuran (2018). Ditemui bahawa di Malaysia, beberapa tradisi postpartum, termasuklah pantang larang pemakanan dan sekatan tingkah laku dan fizikal bertujuan untuk kesejahteraan ibu dan bayi dan melancarkan proses penyembuhan. Ada amalan yang dikesan tidak relevan, manakala amalan yang lain berfaedah kepada kesihatan. Berdasarkan kajian ini, amalan tradisi dan pantang larang sepanjang tempoh postpartum didapati mempunyai kebaikan dan keburukan. Pendekatan rasional diperlukan untuk menimbang amalan terhadap kesihatan dan keselamatan para ibu. Oleh itu, kakitangan kesihatan perlu peka terhadap peranan pantang larang dan tradisi dalam penjagaan pesakit postpartum. Amalan adat dan pantang larang perlu dipantau untuk keselamatan, bersama-sama dengan pendidikan berkomuniti untuk mengelakkan sebarang isu yang tidak diingini akibat daripada amalan yang dilakukan.

 

Kata kunci: Amalan tradisi postpartum; Malaysia; pantang larang; pantang larang postpartum; tradisi

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: faizdaud@ppukm.ukm.edu.my