Russian Studies in Law and PoliticsRussian Studies in Law and PoliticsRussian Studies in Law and Politics2576-96342998-8284Science and Innovation Center Publishing House35806110.12731/2576-9634-2025-9-3-244HOIOOAСтатьиResearch ArticleAfrican traditional approaches to child health among teenage mothers in KenyaMusembiTeresia Y.
Russian Federation
traceycecil@gmail.comRussian University of Transport (MIIT)3009202593708414122025Copyright ©; 2025, Musembi T.Y.Copyright ©; 2025, Musembi T.2025Musembi T.Y.Musembi T.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0https://journals.rcsi.science/2576-9634/article/view/358061

Background. Traditional African healthcare beliefs and practices are part and parcel of the maternal and child well-being in the Kenyan rural settings, particularly amongst vulnerable groups including teenage mothers. Focus has been given to this particular group because children born to adolescent mothers are at a high risk of health complications yet they frequently lack access to basic formal healthcare due to factors such as culture, economic challenges and social aspects. Due to these circumstances, traditional birth attendants, herbal medicine and spiritual interventions often shape caregiving behavior.

Purpose. This study explores ways in which African cultural traditions influence health outcomes of children aged five and below born to adolescent mothers. By giving focus to the interrelation between traditional practices and modern medicine in the context of adolescent mothers, the study contributes to the international discussion on culture sensitive healthcare.

Materials and methods. In order to collect qualitative data, desktop research method was applied in synthesizing results from peer-reviewed articles, public health records and use of ethnography. Thematic analysis was conducted to come up with patterns, trends and associations from the data collected through coding. This analysis enabled the researcher to identify themes representing key patterns including communal caregiving, dependence on herbal medicine and spiritual healing, lack of trust towards biomedical systems and future prospects to incorporate traditional and modern health systems.

The results show both the positive and negative aspects of African traditional practices. Even though cultural practices may help in provision of emotional and social support to adolescent mothers, they are also associated with delayed clinical interventions, which may have detrimental effects.

Conclusion. The study recommends the integration of cultural strategies in healthcare through the engagement of traditional practitioners, promoting reverential clinical settings and supporting adolescent mothers by ensuring they are fully included when adopting health policies.

religious beliefsAfrican traditionsAfrican religionadolescent motherscare giversmotherhoodKenyaretrogressive cultureschild mortalitytraditional birth attendantsherbal medicinemodern medicineKumar, M., & Huang, K. Y. (2021). Impact of being an adolescent mother on subsequent maternal health, parenting, and child development in Kenyan lowincome and high adversity informal settlement context. PLoS One, 16(4), e0248836. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248836. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/JZWAOVKabimba, A. W. (2022). Evidencebased teenage health education: An approach to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality among teenage mothers, Busia County Referral Hospital, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).Mutahi, J., Larsen, A., Cuijpers, P., Peterson, S. S., Unutzer, J., McKay, M., & Kumar, M. (2022). Mental health problems and service gaps experienced by pregnant adolescents and young women in SubSaharan Africa: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101289. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZWEOMGToska, E., Laurenzi, C. A., Roberts, K. J., Cluver, L., & Sherr, L. (2020). Adolescent mothers affected by HIV and their children: A scoping review of evidence and experiences from subSaharan Africa. Global Public Health, 15(11), 1655–1673. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2 Newton.2020.1775867. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/UHWVWIMtongwa, R. H., Festo, C., & Elisaria, E. (2021). A comparative analysis of determinants of low birth weight and stunting among under five children of adolescent and nonadolescent mothers using 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). BMC Nutrition, 7(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-021-00468-6. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/LEKFBENyame, S., Adiibokah, E., Mohammed, Y., Doku, V. C., Othieno, C., Harris, B., & AppiahPoku, J. (2021). Perceptions of Ghanaian traditional health practitioners, primary health care workers, service users and caregivers regarding collaboration for mental health care. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 375. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06313-7. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/JUSLKQNgere, S. H., Akelo, V., Ondeng’e, K., Ridzon, R., Otieno, P., Nyanjom, M., & Barr, B. A. T. (2022). Traditional medicine beliefs and practices among caregivers of children under five years — the child health and mortality prevention surveillance (CHAMPS), Western Kenya: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 17(11), e0276735. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276735. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/IZLJYVUusimäki, K., Schneider, L., Lubeka, C., Kimiwye, J., & Mutanen, M. (2023). Mothers’ knowledge and practices on breastfeeding and complementary feeding in an urban slum area and rural area in Kenya: A crosssectional interview study. Journal of Child Health Care, 27(4), 612–627. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935221083451. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ESPSPVChakona, G. (2020). Social circumstances and cultural beliefs influence maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and child feeding practices in South Africa. Nutrition Journal, 19(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00566-4. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/GMCCCAShimpuku, Y., Madeni, F. E., Shimoda, K., Miura, S., & Mwilike, B. (2021). Perceived differences on the role of traditional birth attendants in rural Tanzania: A qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 137. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03611-0. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/RUGFGGNtoimo, L. F. C., Okonofua, F. E., Ekwo, C., Solanke, T. O., Igboin, B., Imongan, W., & Yaya, S. (2022). Why women utilize traditional rather than skilled birth attendants for maternity care in rural Nigeria: Implications for policies and programs. Midwifery, 104, 103158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103158. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/XTXEMENgotie, T. K., Kaura, D. K., & Mash, B. (2022). Awareness of cultural practices by skilled birth attendants during pregnancy and birth in Kenya: An interpretive phenomenological study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 16, 100394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2022.100394. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/RVHXFPOhaja, M., MurphyLawless, J., & Dunlea, M. (2020). Midwives’ views of traditional birth attendants within formal healthcare in Nigeria. Women and Birth, 33(2), e111–e116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2019.01.005. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/FLYSFZMbogori, T., & Muriuki, J. (2023). A descriptive analysis of the relationship between place of birth and type of birth attendant with breastfeeding feeding practices among children in Kenya. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 10(3), 913. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20230600. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/JLFLBVOmbere, S. O., Haller, T., Nyambedha, E., & Merten, S. (2021). Cultural practices during pregnancy and birth among the Giriama community in coastal Kenya: A qualitative study. International Journal of Childbirth, (4), 154–165.