Relevance and Challenges of Traditional Birth Attendants’ Practices in the Contemporary Midwifery Education and Practice: Evidence from Kwesimintsim District in Ghana

Abstract

The paper focused on exploring the relevance and challenges of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) practice in the contemporary midwifery education and practice in Kwesimintsim District. This paper was conceived from the call to chase out TBAs from the maternal health care system. Two objectives emerged: one for the relevance and the other for the challenges. Quality analytical procedure was used with exploratory design. It emerged that despite the improved number of midwives, TBAs roles are still relevant in Ghana. It was also found that logistical inadequacies, difficulty in handling complications and strained relationship with midwives were the major challenges to the practice of the traditional birth attendants. It is recommended that TBAs should continually be married into midwifery services with long term piece meal withdrawal program. TBAs should also be resourced and partnership with Midwifery Training Colleges.

Keywords: Traditional Birth Attendants; Midwives, Pre-service Midwives; Relevance and Challenges.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/61-08

Publication date: April 30^th 2019