A socio-anthropological study of birth in Morocco

Background: To understand the role of beliefs, notions of risk and local pr actices in explaining the low utilization of maternal health services in Mo rocco. Methods: Ethnographic research in three sites in Morocco, including intervi ews with 126 women and observation of medical encounters at health faciliti es. Results: Local practices are not incompatible a priori with the use of heal th services, and women manifest a relatively pragmatic and flexible attitud e towards the decisions they make regarding birth. The different factors th at influence women's choices are analyzed, in particular those related to o bstacles of accessibility and quality of services. Conclusion: The pluralism and eclecticism that characterize beliefs and beh aviors related to birth in Morocco suggest that an improvement in the quali ty of care would encourage more women to seek care from health facilities.