Village birth attendants in Papua New Guinea.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the care delivered by village birth attendants in a remote area of Papua New Guinea.


METHODS
A qualitative study using semistructured interviews with 56 voluntary village birth attendants.


RESULTS
Village birth attendants supervise and assist women with labour and delivery. Many have additional roles in their community. Most are motivated by a desire to help the women in their community. Common difficulties encountered include obstetric and logistical problems. The most common reason for ceasing work is family pressure or lack of support.


CONCLUSIONS
Village birth attendants may contribute toward an improvement in maternal morbidity and mortality in remote areas of Papua New Guinea.
louise_bettiol@health.qld.gov.au
Louise
L
Bettiol
Edward
E
Griffin
Chris
C
Hogan
Sam
S
Heard
D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009042:Motivation; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000451:nursing; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research