The Collaboration of Trained Traditional Birth Attendants and the Health Center in Hamar Weyne District of Mogadishu

Abstract

The study is aimed to determine the integration of trained traditional birth attendants and the health center in Hamar Weyne district of Mogadishu, Somalia. According to the WHO, a traditional birth attendant (TBA) is “a person who assists the mother during childbirth and who initially acquired her skills by delivering babies herself or by working with other TBAs”. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design using quantitative and qualitative approaches, the sample size includes 11 trained TBA linked to the health center, 3 qualified midwifes and 2 community midwifes working in Hamar Weyne health center. Key informant interview were performed to the head of the Hamar Weyne health center to gather further information. Data were collected using questionnaire after approval of informed consent. The data is compiled and then analysed by using SPSS version 17. Results found were: all trained traditional birth attendants were above the age of 35 years, none educated. The services offered by trained TBA included delivery care, the reason of using TTBA services were the TBAs are kind and care too much. TTBA refers pregnant women to the health center commonly when labor is not progressing. The study concludes that majority of the respondents were not satisfied the services offered by the TTBAs because 75 % of the respondents said complications could arise from TTBA services which include: 56 % prolonged labor, 25 % excessive bleeding and 19 % of infections, However most of the respondents agreed that trained TBA can be useful in linking the community to the health center. Proper collaboration between TTBAs and Health center can be fully implemented when appropriate training, regular supervision and Incentives are provided to TTBAs.