Examine the Perception of Contemporary Midwives and Pre Service Midwives About the Practice of Traditional Birth Attendants in Kwasmintim District

Abstract

The paper focused on examining the perception of contemporary midwives and pre-service midwives about the practice of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Kwesimintsim District. It is believed that the success of the programme of Traditional Birth Attendants practice is dependent strongly on the cooperation and collaboration with midwives. Therefore, determining the perception of this key stakeholders (contemporary midwives and pre-service midwives) is fundamental to the quality maternal health care system: this is the motivation for this paper. The paper followed qualitative analytical approach with exploratory design. It emerged that despite the existing programme for TBAs practice, majority of the midwives and pre-service midwives perceived their practice as dangerous. It was also found The TBAs were perceived as though diligent but stereotyped, conservative and unwilling to sacrifice traditions and cultural for modern practices. It is recommended that the skilled birth attendants (Midwives and pre service midwives) should be engaged in the TBA programme for effective partnership. It is further recommended that community service with TBAs should be mandatory as part of the pre service programme for midwives.

Keywords: Traditional Birth Attendants, Skilled Birth Attendants, Midwives, and Pre-service Midwives

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/94-04

Publication date:October 31^st 2021