Traditional birth attendants
Anonymous
WHO Offset Publication 44: 109
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-7878 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(80)92929-3Document Number: 374381
In the developing countries, 60-80% of births are attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs), whose work may also include care of the pregnant women and normal newborn, family planning advice, and other primary health care. This publication provides guidelines for the planning, implementation and evaluation of nationwide programmes for the training and utilization of TBAs. These guidelines may be applied generally and are illustrated with summary descriptions or models of procedures that have been used in TBA programmes in several developing countries. After having described, with the help of a chart, the development and evaluation of such programmes, the book deals with the formulation of basic policies regarding the functions of trained TBAs and the facilities made available to them by governments. The acceptance of TBAs by health professionals and the community and the willingness of TBAs to co-operate with the organized health services, requires promotional campaigns, which are considered from the planning, content, and implementation angles. One chapter is devoted to the gathering of information on maternal and child health and family planning services and on local beliefs and practices. This information together with an inventory of TBAs, is considered to be essential in order to develop TBA programmes. The planning and development of a training programme are dealt with in a chapter that covers definitions of functions and tasks, the selection and preparation of trainers and trainees, and development of the course. Another chapter concerns the "articulation" of TBAs with the organized health system, including such aspects as the supervision and continuing education of the TBA, supporting services, records and reports, the relationship of TBAs to other health workers, and regulations of the TBA's practice.