Role of Community-Based Birth Attendants in Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality

Abstract

Community-based Birth Attendants (CBAs) provide maternal, child, sexual and reproductive information and services to a large part of the population in rural, marginalised and hard-to-reach communities (especially in underdeveloped and developing regions). In Nigeria, they cater for ~70% of the reproductive population who patronise them in their various communities due to accessibility, affordability and social acceptance for pregnancy-related care, delivery, other sexual and reproductive healthcare concerns. CBAs could be skilled, semiskilled but are largely unskilled. Their level of skill, knowledge, attitude, and practice in their community concerning different health issues is a huge determinant of their clients’ health outcomes, which has also been skewed over time. Studies have shown that the knowledge of these CBAs continues to be impeded despite attempts at training them and unifying their practices, due to the deep-seated disunity that affects their uptake of thought interventions. These divisions are drawn along the lines of religion, initial training/education and gender differences. Therefore, continuous education on safe and current hygienic practices; increases their capacity, knowledge and skills for correct information dissemination and service delivery. Likewise, future assimilation into the formal health system with legal framework will help regulate their practices, thereby reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.