Abstract:
Background:
The high rate of home deliveries conducted by unskilled birth attendants in resource-limited settings
is an important global health issue because it is believed to be a significant contributing factor to maternal and
newborn mortality. Given the large number of deliveries that are managed by unskilled or traditional birth
attendants outside of health facilities, and the fact that there is on-going discussion regarding the role of traditional
birth attendants in the maternal newborn health (MNH) service continuum, we sought to ascertain the practices of
traditional birth attendants in our catchment area. The findings of this descriptive study might help inform
conversations regarding the roles that traditional birth attendants can play in maternal-newborn health care.
Methods:
A structured questionnaire was used in a survey that included one hundred unskilled birth attendants in
western Kenya. Descriptive statistics were employed.
Results:
Inappropriate or outdated practices were reported in relation to some obstetric complications and
newborn care. Encouraging results were reported with regard to positive relationships that traditional birth
attendants have with their local health facilities. Furthermore, high rates of referral to health facilities was reported
for many common obstetric emergencies and similar rates for reporting of pregnancy outcomes to village elders
and chiefs.
Conclusions:
Potentially harmful or outdated practices with regard to maternal and newborn care among
traditional birth attendants in western Kenya were revealed by this study. There were high rates of traditional birth
attendant referrals of pregnant mothers with obstetric complications to health facilities. Policy makers may consider
re-educating and re-defining the roles and responsibilities of traditional birth attendants in maternal and neonatal
health care based on the findings of this survey.
