An Ethnography of Post-Miscarriage Healing Practices in Village Androt AJK

Abstract

With an emphasis on cultural beliefs and customs around pregnancy loss, this qualitative study investigates post-miscarriage healing practices in Village Androt, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The findings of this study shows that women's experiences and coping mechanisms are greatly influenced by the idea of Pachawa which is connected to spiritual causes of miscarriage. These insights highlight the significance of culturally responsive healthcare interventions that respect local beliefs in order to improve reproductive health outcomes, especially given the paucity of literature on the subject. In a rural location such as Androt, twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted. Purposive sampling was utilized to choose the participants, and the transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic framework approach and the interview guide questions. Results emphasize the shame that women experience following a miscarriage, which frequently leads to social exclusion and limited involvement in community activities. The research adds important knowledge to our understanding of women's health challenges in rural areas by shedding light on these cultural frameworks.