FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UTILISATION OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS: PERSPECTIVES OF MOTHERS FROM BONGO DISTRICT IN UPPER EAST REGION, GHANA

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a disheartening issue in Sub-Saharan Africa. Skilled delivery care during childbirth is the most critical intervention for improving maternal and child Health. Despite the importance of skilled delivery services, performance of skilled delivery care in the Bongo District is still low. The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing the utilisation of traditional birth attendants from the perspectives of mothers from Bongo District. A descriptive study design was used for this survey. A simple random sampling method was used to select 330 mothers' with children within one year of age. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 and presented in tables. The study identified women's age (p<0.001); education (p<0.001); marital status (p<0.001); religion (p<0.001); husband's education (p<0.001); parity and .health insurance status (p<0.001) as the socio-demographic characteristics of women that were significantly associated with utilization of traditional birth attendants. The study also identified long distance, lack of and high cost of transportation; cost of treatment, poor quality of maternal health services, poor attitudes of health personnel towards women, and cultural .reasons as the major reasons influencing the utilization of traditional birth attendants. In conclusion, the findings revealed a positive perception and use of Traditional Birth Attendants services by the respondents. This underlines the necessity for TBAs' knowledge and skills to be improved within acceptable standards through training. Following the findings, it is worth recommending that Traditional Birth Attendants to be given some technical training to enhance their knowledge and skills in delivery care. Finally, there is the need for an economic empowerment policy to be directed toward empowering women economically to position them improve access to skilled delivery care.