CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH BEHAVIOUR AND PRACTICES RELATED TO MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH

Abstract

The 1000 day window is critical to the health of not only the child but also the mother, as almost all maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, arises from this period.  The strong intersection of the biological and the social, along with other factors, during this period, translates into health outcomes for the mother and her child. Among the social aspects, the influence of culture on the health of the mother and child remains a very critical determinant of the MCH health outcomes. This paper attempts to review systematically, the prominent cultural practices around mother and child health, around the world, which translates into positive or negative health outcomes. The paper also highlights the limited availability of such literature in India..