Preferential utilization of traditional birth attendants by rural expectant mothers in Okigwe zone of Imo state, Nigeria

COVID-19 has spread rapidly in Kenya and has not spared pregnant women. Evidence from Kenya shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have been either stressed to their maximum capacity or are becoming overwhelmed. However, the population is advised not to attend hospital unless strictly necessary, and this advice seems to apply to all, including expectant mothers. There is a dearth of information on how poor expectant mothers with low bargaining power cope during COVID-19 in Kenya, which this study addresses for those in Kilifi County. This rapid qualitative study draws data from an extensive literature review and from interviews with 12 purposively selected mothers who were either expectant or had newborn babies during the pandemic in Kilifi County. Five matrons-in-charge of maternal health services and four traditional birth attendants were also interviewed via mobile phone. Data were analyzed thematically and are presented in a textual description. It emerged that expectant mothers feared attending hospitals for perinatal care due to the possibility of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, there was an increase in home deliveries with the assistance of traditional birth attendants (TBAs)/traditional midwives, who were also overwhelmed with women who sought their services. Since most causes of maternal morbidity and mortality can be prevented by prompt, suitable treatment by qualified health practitioners, the health officials interviewed recommended training and integration of TBAs in emergency healthcare responses to help during crises in MHS because they are trusted by their local communities. Notably, such integration of traditional midwives should be supported and should also include additional training and monetary incentives.

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Attending Birth at the Margins: The "Midwife Problem": Traditional Birth Attendants: An Annotated Bibliography on Their Training, Utilization, and Evaluation . L. Oddi, B. Pizurki. ; Supplement 1 . H. Morrow, K. Gilroy.

Medical Anthropology Newsletter ◽

10.1525/maq.1984.15.2.02a00030 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 37-41

Author(s):

Karen J. Peterson

Keyword(s):

Annotated Bibliography ◽

Traditional Birth Attendants ◽

Birth Attendants

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Empowering traditional birth attendants as agents of maternal and neonatal immunization uptake in Nigeria: a repeated measures design

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10311-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chinedu Anthony Iwu ◽

Kenechi Uwakwe ◽

Uche Oluoha ◽

Chukwuma Duru ◽

Ernest Nwaigbo

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Average Length ◽

Traditional Birth Attendants ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Birth Attendants ◽

Culturally Adapted ◽

Workshop Intervention

Abstract Background Adequate immunization coverage in rural communities remain a challenge in Nigeria. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) form an integral part of the social, cultural and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria. Despite their limitations in handling the complications of childbirth, TBAs are widely accepted and patronized, especially in rural areas. The objectives of the project were to empower TBAs and assess the use of a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop intervention to change their knowledge, attitude and willingness to promote immunization uptake. Methods A repeated-measures design that used a convenience sampling technique to select 90 TBAs from the three geopolitical zones of Imo State, Nigeria. The TBAs were engaged through a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop. Data were collected before and immediately after intervention using a pretested questionnaire. Chi square test was done to determine any significant association with the zone of practice and paired sample t-test analysis to determine any significant pre and post intervention change. Level of significance was set at p ≤ ·05. Results More than half of the TBAs had at most, a secondary level of education (54·4%). The average length of time they practiced as TBAs was 16 years with an average of ten birth deliveries per month. After the intervention, all the respondents (100%) reported a willingness to always promote immunization uptake and also, there was a statistically significant increase in Knowledge (p < ·000). Similarly, the level of knowledge in the post intervention period appeared to be significantly associated with the zone of practice (p = ·027). Conclusion The workshop intervention empowered the TBAs irrespective of their zones of residence by successfully improving their knowledge, though at varying levels; and consequently, their willingness to always promote immunization uptake.

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