title: ROLES OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS AND PERCEPTIONS ON THE POLICY DISCOURAGING HOME DELIVERY IN COASTAL KENYA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the roles of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), to determine the perceptions of TBAs and Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) towards the policy discouraging home delivery by TBAs and to establish the working relationship between TBAs and SBAs in Kwale, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community based cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mwaluphamba, Kinango and Golini locations of Kwale County, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty eight participants were involved in the study. Interviews were conducted with 22 TBAs and 8 SBAs as well as 3 FGDs with 28 TBAs were carried out in July 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Roles of TBAs, policy awareness and support as well as the working relationship between TBAs and SBAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before delivery, the main role of TBAs was checking position of the baby in the womb (86%) while during delivery, the main role was stomach massage (64%). However, majority (95%) of the TBAs did not provide any after delivery. All SBAs and 59% of TBAs were aware of the policy while 88% SBAs and 36% of TBAs supported it. The working relationship between TBAs and SBAs mainly involved the referral of women to health facilities (HFs). Sometimes, TBAs accompanied women to the HF offering emotional support until after delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TBAs in Kwale have a big role to play especially during pregnancy and delivery periods. Awareness and support of the policy as well as the collaboration between SBAs and TBAs should be enhanced in Kwale.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wanyua
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kaneko
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Karama
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Makokha
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ndemwa
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kisule
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Changoma
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Goto
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Shimada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D011247:Pregnancy