Nurses Pen

, ,

ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

5,000.00

ABSTRACT

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) continue to conduct a substantial share of deliveries in Nigeria, and the safety of mothers and newborns in their care depends largely on their knowledge and practices. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of traditional birth attendants in Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Because the population was small, total enumeration was used: all 55 practising TBAs identified through the registers of the TBA associations and primary health care departments of Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas were recruited, and 52 validly completed interviewer-administered questionnaires were obtained, giving a response rate of 94.5 per cent. The validated instrument (test-retest reliability index r = 0.79) was analysed using frequencies and simple percentages presented in tables and charts. Findings showed that only 42.3% of the TBAs had good knowledge of safe delivery and obstetric danger signs, while 34.6% had fair and 23.1% poor knowledge; recognition of haemorrhage (84.6%) was high but recognition of eclampsia warning signs (53.8%) was low. Safe practices such as use of a new blade for cord-cutting (76.9%) and hand washing (73.1%) coexisted with harmful practices, including administration of herbal concoctions to hasten labour (57.7%), application of herbal preparations to the cord stump (46.2%) and manual removal of retained placenta (34.6%). Referral practices were suboptimal, with 53.8% trying local remedies before referral and only 30.8% having a working relationship with a health facility. Lack of formal training (76.9%), lack of materials (73.1%) and cultural beliefs (65.4%) influenced their practices, although 84.6% expressed willingness to be trained. The study concluded that significant knowledge and practice gaps exist among TBAs in Benin City and recommended structured training, provision of safe delivery kits and formal linkage of TBAs to health facilities for prompt referral. (NOTE: Findings are based on illustrative simulated data to be replaced with field data.)

Keywords: Traditional birth attendants, Knowledge, Delivery practices, Referral, Benin City.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.1 Background of the Study……………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………………………………. 2

1.3 Objectives of the Study………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

1.4 Research Questions……………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.5 Significance of the Study……………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.6 Scope of the Study…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms…………………………………………………………………………. 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………. 7

2.1 Conceptual Review……………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

2.1.1 Concept of Traditional Birth Attendants………………………………………………………… 7

2.1.2 Knowledge of Safe Delivery and Obstetric Danger Signs among TBAs…………….. 7

2.1.3 Delivery Practices of Traditional Birth Attendants………………………………………….. 8

2.1.4 Referral Practices of TBAs and Linkage with the Formal Health System…………… 9

2.1.5 Training and Integration of TBAs: Implications for Maternal and Newborn Health 9

2.2 Theoretical Review………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

2.2.1 Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory……………………………………………………………… 10

2.2.2 Application of the Theory to the Present Study…………………………………………….. 10

2.3 Empirical Review……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

2.4 Summary of Literature Review and Research Gap………………………………………………. 14

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………. 15

3.1 Research Design……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

3.2 Research Setting……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

3.3 Target Population…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

3.4 Sample Size Determination………………………………………………………………………………. 16

3.5 Sampling Technique………………………………………………………………………………………… 16

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection………………………………………………………………………….. 17

3.7 Validity of the Instrument…………………………………………………………………………………. 17

3.8 Reliability of the Instrument……………………………………………………………………………… 18

3.9 Method of Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………….. 18

3.10 Method of Data Analysis………………………………………………………………………………… 18

3.11 Ethical Considerations……………………………………………………………………………………. 19

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS………………………………….. 20

4.1 Socio-Demographic Data of Respondents…………………………………………………………… 20

4.2 Answering the Research Questions……………………………………………………………………. 23

Research Question 1: What is the knowledge of safe delivery and obstetric danger signs among traditional birth attendants in Benin City, Edo State?…………………………………………….. 23

Research Question 2: What are the delivery practices of traditional birth attendants in Benin City, Edo State?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24

Research Question 3: What are the referral practices of traditional birth attendants in Benin City, Edo State?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25

Research Question 4: What are the factors influencing the practices of traditional birth attendants in the study area?……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26

4.3 Summary of Findings………………………………………………………………………………………. 26

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………………………………………………………… 28

5.1 Discussion of Findings…………………………………………………………………………………….. 28

5.1.1 Knowledge of Safe Delivery and Obstetric Danger Signs………………………………. 28

5.1.2 Delivery Practices of Traditional Birth Attendants………………………………………… 29

5.1.3 Referral Practices of Traditional Birth Attendants…………………………………………. 29

5.1.4 Factors Influencing the Practices of Traditional Birth Attendants……………………. 30

5.2 Implications of the Study for Nursing………………………………………………………………… 31

5.3 Limitations of the Study…………………………………………………………………………………… 31

5.4 Contributions to Knowledge……………………………………………………………………………… 32

5.5 Summary………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32

5.6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33

5.7 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………………. 33

5.8 Suggestions for Further Studies…………………………………………………………………………. 34

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 36

APPENDIX I: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION AND INFORMED CONSENT……………… 38

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE……………………………………………………………………………. 39

 

Scroll to Top