Perceived factors influencing the utilization of traditional birth attendants' services in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that one of the major causes of maternal death especially in developing countries is unskilled birth attendants at pregnancy and childbirth. The aim of this study is to determine the reasons for the utilization of traditional birth attendants' services among mothers in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methodology: The study design was cross sectional and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from the women who had ever given birth. Data was collected from the women who attend the postnatal and Immunization clinics in the selected health centres. A total of 130 questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed using statistical package of the social sciences (SPSS) and presented as tables and figures. Two hypotheses were tested using chi-square test p ≤ 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The findings revealed that 55.4% have ever utilized the TBA. Significant reasons for patronizing of TBAs by the women were that the TBAs were more user friendly (p= 0.012), were readily accessible (p=0.000) and their belief in them (p=0.000). Poverty (p=0.988) and educational level (p =0.133) were not found to be statistically significant in this study.

Conclusion: Effort should be made by care providers and policy makers to ensure that our modern health care services for mothers are more accessible, user friendly with culturally sensitive care.

Keywords: Ibadan, childbirth, maternal mortality, skilled care, traditional birth
attendants, utilization, women