ROLE OF TBA & MATERNAL DEATHS

Traditional Attendants of birth' Role in Influencing Maternal Deaths Rates

Traditional Attendants of birth

In developing nations, Traditional Attendants of birth have been a topic of debate in terms of maternal as well as newborn health care, due to the absence of trained health care personnel and proper foundation. As per WHO definition, 'a traditional birth attendant (TBA) is an individual - typically a female - at the time of labour who supports the mother and who at first obtained her skills delivering infants without assistance of anyone or working with other traditional attendants of birth (Bergstrom, 2001). There are three major types of Traditional Attendants of birth. First type is the Traditional Attendants of birth who is a full-time specialist who could be called upon by anybody and hopes to be paid either in monetary terms or in kind. Second type is the female's elderly neighbour or relative who does not earn from the work and such Traditional birth attendant who just aid with the birth (if the mother is a daughter or daughter-in-law or a relative of a neighbour or close companion). This Traditional attendant of birth does not hope to be paid and helps in the birth process as a favour, yet might receive a gift or token in appreciation. Ultimately there is the family birth attendant who just helps to deliver children of close companions. In any society, the social and cultural organization is reflected by the role of Traditional birth attendant (Megginson & Whittaker, 1996). Hence it is observed that the traditional birth attendants are not usually skilful in providing better care to the mothers and their newly born babies. They are found to be illetrate in terms of health and hygiene. Traditional birth attendants practice the delivery process on the basis of their experiences. Their experiences has their own worth but proper training and teaching regarding the safe practice is also an essential factor.

Traditional attendants of birth are quite regarded, in numerous African communities; important social rituals are performed by them and give vital social support to ladies during the period of labour (Lave & Wanger, 1991; Lee & Collin, 2005). In all cases religion and local traditions impact their beliefs and practices. Despite the fact that there are still numerous groups who remain eager, in recent era the worth of Traditional attendants of birth training has been progressively addressed. There frequently seems, by all accounts, to be small shared conviction between the opponents and proponents of Traditional attendants of birth training (Jochelson, 2005). Blended and frequently disputable pictures are shown from the conclusions of studies on the relevance of Traditional attendants of birth. Before the establishment of the primary health care services, we might as well note anyway that, practice was now carried out by numerous Traditional attendants of birth. So at the meantime complimenting in territories advanced interventions may never access in decades if properly trained, followed-up, regulated, supplied with materials and motivated Traditional attendants of birth can ...