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Africa. and the incidence is still unknown i n most parts.
Hortality and other data indicate that i t i s one of the less
c o mmon postpartum co mp l i c a t i ons . If however we consider that
the disease occurs predominantly i n blacks and that a high
prev a l e nc e of associated factors such as twin pregnancies,
h i g he r ages and parity, and postpartum hypertension afec occur
on the African continent, then the disease is likely to be a
mor e frequent cause of maternal morbidity i n sub-Saharan
Africa than e lsewhere.
If the hypothesis that the h igher i n c i d e n c e s of d isease
a mo ng the Hausa and/or Fulanis are due to prevailing
postpartum traditiona l practices is co r r ect , then the disease
c ou l d be a n even more important cause o f morbidity and
mortality i n the West African, since these peoples occupy in
a n extensive a rea of the r eg i on . Many a ther African tri be s may
a i sc practice s i mi l ar t raditions with the same eff e c t s , and
therefore more research i s needed on t l,is d isease and its
de terminants in Africa .
Puerperal menta l disorders:
Psychiatric disorders are one of the recognised disease
problems that appea r with increased frequency during the
puerperium ( 223 J . Its occurrence at this particularly crucial
time in the life of a mother and her child, brings untold
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