title: Contribution of traditional birth attendants to the formal health system in Ethiopia: the case of Afar region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have been a subject of discussion in the provision of maternal and newborn health care. The objective of this study was to assess the role of trained traditional birth attendants in maternal and newborn health care in Afar Regional State of Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study was used where 21 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions were conducted with health service providers, trained traditional birth attendants, mothers, men, kebele leaders and district health personnel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings of this study indicate that trained traditional birth attendants are the backbone of the maternal and child health development in pastoralist communities. However, the current numbers are inadequate and cannot meet the needs of the pastoralist communities including antenatal care, delivery, postnatal care and family planning. In addition to service delivery, all respondents agreed on multiple contributions of trained TBAs, which include counselling, child care, immunisation, postnatal care, detection of complication and other social services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Without deployment of adequate numbers of trained health workers for delivery services, trained traditional birth attendants remain vital for the rural community in need of maternal and child health care services. With close supportive supervision and evaluation of the trainings, the TBAs can greatly contribute to decreasing maternal and newborn mortality rates.
authors: AMREF, Ethiopia.
authors: Tedla Mulatu
authors: TM
authors: Temesgen
authors: Jemal Yousuf
authors: JY
authors: Umer
authors: Dawit Seyoum
authors: DS
authors: Buda
authors: Tilahun Nigatu
authors: TN
authors: Haregu
mesh_terms: D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008880:Midwifery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population
keywords: Traditional birth attendants; maternal and child health; pastoralist community