Self-reported practices among traditional birth attendants surveyed in western Kenya: a descriptive study

Abstract

BackgroundThe 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.MethodsA structured questionnaire was used in a survey that included one hundred unskilled birth attendants in western Kenya. Descriptive statistics were employed.ResultsInappropriate or outdated practices were reported in relation to some obstetric complications and newborn care.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and similar rates for reporting of pregnancy outcomes to village elders and chiefs.ConclusionsPotentially harmful or outdated practices with regard to maternal and newborn care among traditional birth attendants in western Kenya were revealed by this study.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.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-1007-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Training programs to improve identification of sick newborns and care-seeking from a health facility in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

“…One included study evaluated TBA performance in identifying newborns with danger signs [ 27 ]. It is important to acknowledge that although TBAs met our definition of a CBHW, ongoing controversy exists regarding their role in maternal and newborn care including reports of inappropriate and outdated newborn care practices [ 57 ]. At the same time, TBAs have also been shown to have a positive role in bridging the relationships between the community and local health facilities [ 57 , 58 ].…”

“…It is important to acknowledge that although TBAs met our definition of a CBHW, ongoing controversy exists regarding their role in maternal and newborn care including reports of inappropriate and outdated newborn care practices [ 57 ]. At the same time, TBAs have also been shown to have a positive role in bridging the relationships between the community and local health facilities [ 57 , 58 ]. Future newborn care training program development must ensure careful consideration of re-education for TBAs and other CBHWs while acknowledging their potentially important role in health facility referrals in specific cultural contexts and settings.…”

Respectful maternal care and by who? perspectives of Somali community at IFO refugee Camp, Dadaab, Kenya

“…1 Majority of the births in low and middle-income countries are conducted outside health facilities by untrained birth attendants (BAs) posing a global health concern which contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. 2,3 For instance, in the Somali predominant Dadaab refugee complex health facility based births in 2015 ranged between 61 to 87%, indicating that there were still a number of women who were giving birth outside designated health care facilities despite these facilities being available. 4 Globally, an estimated five hundred thousand women die annually due to complications arising during pregnancy, labour and childbirth and the postpartum period, with approximately half of those deaths occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Exploring experiences with sensitivity to cultural practices among birth attendants in Kenya: A phenomenological study

“…Traditional birth attendants continue to provide services in the community, with no formal collaboration with SBAs and no government policy to regulate their practices. 21 , 22 , 23…”

“…Traditional birth attendants continue to provide services in the community, with no formal collaboration with SBAs and no government policy to regulate their practices. 21,22,23 Despite the ethnic diversity in Kenya, there is limited evidence on the cultural challenges that BAs or childbearing women encounter during their engagements. Therefore, this study aimed to explore BAs' sensitivity to CPs during pregnancy and birth among the Keiyo community in Kenya.…”