title: A needs assessment study of traditional birth attendants in rural Kenya.
abstract: For several reasons traditional birth attendants (TBAs) still deliver the majority of women in many developing areas of the world. A needs assessment study of TBAs serving one area of Kenya was conducted for the purpose of designing an appropriate intervention program. Thirty-six TBAs were interviewed. Together, they had attended to a total of 116 deliveries within 1 month. The local hospital was conducting an average of 37 deliveries per month. Although most TBAs were good at abdominal palpation, they did not conduct routine prenatal checks and rarely referred their clients to hospital. Several risky practices were identified from which a training program has been designed. The findings and their implications are discussed within the context of improved MCH/FP services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Rogo
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008880:Midwifery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D012424:Rural Population; D000078329:Workforce