Traditional Birth Attendants and Maternal Health Service Delivery in a Community Health Project in South-western Nigeria: A qualitative study

Kabiru K. Salami

Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

[email protected]

Abstract:

The practice of Traditional Birth Attendance (TBA) is restricted in Nigeria through regulations.  This is due in part to lack of adequate information about their efficiency in service delivery. This study documents the profiles of TBAs trained by a non-governmental organization in the women’s health service delivery in rural communities of Oyo State, Nigeria.  Qualitative approach was used to conduct nine In-depth interviews on training experiences and service delivery among the TBAs and 18 among their clients on user satisfaction.  The TBAs rated the training they received as highly valuable to their practice. Clients were satisfied with the services received from TBAs but expressed displeasure on the work-environment of the TBAs.  This study shows that TBAs’ practice can fill service gaps created by unavailability of orthodox healthcare professionals in an environment supported by little healthcare services. Community participation is found to be essential in the acceptance, operation and monitoring of TBAs in this resource-limited setting.

Key words: Community participation, Healthcare delivery, Traditional Birth Attendants, TBA training, Maternal and Child Healthcare, Rural health, Nigeria