title: Experiences and beliefs of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the beliefs and experiences of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant (TBA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a qualitative study, 20 face-to-face in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted between February and May 2013. Women aged 18 years or older and who had a history of delivery with a TBA were recruited from three health centers in Lilongwe District. Their responses were independently coded, and content analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 46 women participated. Most participants cited difficulties relating to transport and/or unsupportive or unavailable husbands as factors that prohibited their delivery at a health facility. Most had not had a specific delivery plan. The participant responses indicated a discordance between knowledge and practices for safe delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies to decrease deliveries with TBAs should focus on helping women to develop delivery plans to cope with the potential social or situational obstacles of getting to a facility. Women desire health facilities that provide quality care, emotional support, and personalized care during labor and delivery.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi. Electronic address: jhry88@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hamela
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Nelecy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chome
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: Charity
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kabondo
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosseinipour
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi; Division of Global Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008880:Midwifery; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Barriers to care; Malawi; Pregnancy; Quality of care; Traditional birth attendants