The Knowledge and Utilization of Traditional Birth Attendants by Women in a Rural Community of Ilorin, Northern Nigeria
Lawal Abdulwahab
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria and Mcon Research Institute, Nigeria and Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Salawu Wuraola
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Makanjuola Oluwanifemi
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Ambali Ambali
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Alabi Oreoluwa
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Kareem Ahmed
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Chijindu Nwakama
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Akande Maryam
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Akande Tanimola
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Al-Mansur Sumayya *
Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Tijani Yusuf
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Ahmed Mahmud
Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Aleem-Ghandi Taofeek
Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Adeyeye John
Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Nwafor Oni
Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Obateru Peace
Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Lawal Lukman
Mcon Research Institute, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: One of the major factors contributing towards high maternal morbidity and mortality in many developing countries is the lack of access to skilled maternal healthcare services, as traditional birth attendants (TBAs) continue to serve as predominant providers of maternal healthcare in many rural communities.
Aim: This study explores the knowledge and utilization of TBAs by women in a rural community, in order to identify healthcare gaps towards the provision of needed intervention.
Study Design: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted in Alanamu community of Ilorin, northern Nigeria, in the year 2019.
Methodology: A well-structured interviewer based questionnaire was administered to 212 women of reproductive age-group to collect data on their knowledge and utilization of the services of TBAs. Analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 20.
Results: One hundred and fifty three respondents (72.2%) had background knowledge of TBAs, 91 (40.8%) had visited a TBA at least once to carry out their deliveries, of which 73 (80.2%) of them had successful deliveries, 18 (19.8%) had complications during their deliveries, of which 7 (7.7%) were referred to health care facilities for expect management.
The study showed statistical significance between the level of education of respondents and their patronage of TBAs with a P-value of .04.
Conclusion: Our study showed adequate knowledge and utilization of the services of TBAs by members of the community. The use of TBAs has continued to thrive in this rural community especially among the uneducated population and has been associated with maternal complications. The integration of TBAs with standard healthcare system as well as continuous sensitization of the public on their roles and limitations would go a long way in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality associated with the use of untrained TBAs.
Keywords: Knowledge, utilization, TBA, traditional birth attendant, Nigeria