“Kunika women are always sick” : views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi state, northern Nigeria
Date
2020-05-24
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Publisher
BMC
Abstract
The word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child (pregnant while breast feeding). In support of culturally safe child spacing in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria, the study explores local perspectives about kunika and its consequences. Family size in this area is large, and polygamy is common. Some 57% of women in Bauchi have no education, compared with 36% nationally. Use of contraception is minimal. In the Bauchi context men continue to dominate decision-making about reproductive health (and ill-health) and sexual activity.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
CHILD SPACING, PATRIARCHY, FAMILY PLANNING, PREGNANCY, CONTRACEPTION, SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, POLYGAMY, GENDER ROLES, RURAL POVERTY, ISLAM, NIGERIA, SOUTH OF SAHARA, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, WOMEN'S HEALTH