Death, Culture, and Conflict: A Qualitative Study on Sociocultural Practices and Their Implications for Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Rattachement africain : us, République démocratique du Congo. Niveau de preuve : code pays fourni par la source.
Le résumé fourni par la source
Abstract Background Death is a social and cultural phenomenon whose meaning shapes how and whether losses are mourned, disclosed, and reported. These dynamics have direct implications for maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR), yet remain understudied, particularly in humanitarian contexts. Methods This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in two conflict-affected health zones in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In-depth interviews (n=50) were conducted with bereaved family members of maternal or perinatal deaths, community leaders, and health providers to understand the socio-cultural practices surrounding death and the factors influencing MPDSR. Interviews were transcribed in French and analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis. Results Four themes characterized the socio-cultural practices surrounding maternal and perinatal deaths: burial practices, mourning and bereavement traditions, rationale for these practices, and the impact of insecurity on customs. Burial and mourning practices differed markedly by type of death, with stillbirths and neonatal deaths accorded significantly less social recognition than maternal deaths. Deaths were commonly attributed to witchcraft or spiritual causality, or blame directed at mothers, husbands, and health providers. Active conflict further disrupted customary practices and eroded community trust. Collectively, these dynamics inhibit disclosure and reporting of deaths, undermining MPDSR case identification. Conclusion Effective MPDSR in conflict-affected settings requires culturally responsive adaptation, community involvement in case identification, and trust in health sector actors. By documenting specific actors involved in burials, variations in burial and mourning practices, and how conflict changes socio-cultural practices, findings offer actionable entry points for strengthening MPDSR in conflict-affect health zones in Eastern DRC.
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Le contrôle bibliographique ouvert
DOI retrouvé dans Crossref DOI retrouvé ; titre concordant.
- Titre Crossref
- Death, Culture, and Conflict: A Qualitative Study on Sociocultural Practices and Their Implications for Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
- Date Crossref
- 27/07/2026
- Éditeur
- openRxiv
- Type
- posted-content
Ce recoupement confirme des métadonnées liées au DOI. Il ne confirme ni la méthode ni les conclusions de l’étude, et il ne compte pas comme une seconde source scientifique indépendante.
Où se fait cette recherche
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University of Maryland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Johns Hopkins University Center for Humanitarian Health pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Institut Supérieur de Technique Médicale République démocratique du Congo (code pays fourni par la source)Université ou école supérieure
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Université Catholique de Bukavu Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique Université Catholique de Bukavu, République démocratique du Congo (code pays fourni par la source)Université ou école supérieure
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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health International Health Department pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Centre de Recherche en Science Naturelles République démocratique du Congo (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Structure de recherche
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Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales Kanyamulande République démocratique du Congo (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Université ou école supérieure
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health — University of Maryland, Center for Humanitarian Health — Johns Hopkins University et Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, avec 5 autres affiliations. Pays d’affiliation : République démocratique du Congo.
Une affiliation ne permet pas de déduire la nationalité d’un auteur.