FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ATTENDING TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS AMONG PREGNANT MOTHERS AGED 18-45 YEARS IN DRANYA SUB-COUNTY, KOBOKO DISTRICT: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

The study was to determine factors contributing to attending traditional birth attendants among pregnant mothers aged 18-45 years in the Dranya sub-county, Koboko district.

Methodology

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design; a Convenience sampling technique was used. Data was collected on a sample size of 50 respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions in different sections of A, B, C, and D was used as a data collection tool. The study population was pregnant mothers aged 18-45 years.

Results

The study findings on factors contributing to attending traditional birth attendants among pregnant mothers aged 18-45 years showed that (72%) of the respondents believe in TBAs, (76%) of the respondents agreed that the TBAs are friendly to them, (64%) of the respondents are in polygamous marriages, (92%) of the respondents agreed that the services provided by TBAs are cheap and affordable, (90%) of the respondents reported that maternity services provided by the maternity service providers are not friendly and (68%) reported that they are not affordable. 

Conclusion

The researcher concluded that the findings of the study were attributed to TBAs being friendly to pregnant mothers, availability and accessibility of TBAs in their communities, being in polygamous marriages, being gravid mothers, cheap and affordable services offered by TBAs, expensive costs of maternity services at the health facilities.

Recommendations

The researcher recommended that: the government should construct health facilities in their communities so that pregnant mothers can access the services. The Ministry of health should empower the Village Health Team to educate pregnant mothers and create awareness about the importance of attending maternity services from health facilities provided by the well-trained healthcare provider.