Abstract

This study investigated the information and training needs of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in selected rural communities of Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select TBAs from the study area to give a total of 120 respondents that form the sample size for this study. Data on socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, sources of training available, services provided, constraints faced by TBAs and information and training needs of TBAs were obtained. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, PPMC and chi square. Results of the study revealed that the mean age of respondents was 44.8?9.9 years and 93.3% were married. Sources of training available to TBAs are from community health workers (98.3%) and skilled health workers (82.5%). Services rendered by TBAs are antenatal care (92.5%) breastfeeding lectures (87.5%) and referral services (43.3%). The mean score for constraints shows that management of severe bleeding (0.92), management of retained placenta (0.85) and insufficient information and training (0.54) were ranked as the major constraints. The result of the study also revealed that information and training needs on referral of sick baby, weight of the baby and advice on immunization (100%) were highly needed by all the respondents. Chi-square result shows that sex (x2=4.611, p<0.05) and religion (x2=7.397, p<0.05) were significantly related to the information and training needs. Also, age (r =0.238, p<0.05) and working experience (r =0.236, p<0.05) were significantly related to the information and training needs of the respondents. The study recommended that Policy makers on reproductive health issues must develop collaborative opportunities with TBAs and skilled health workers that encompass mutual trust and respect which will ensure sustainable health sector in the nation.

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