Poor practice and knowledge among traditional birth attendants in Eastern Sudan

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Public Health
• Global Health

Background:

• Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) play a significant role in childbirth in many low-resource settings.
• Understanding their knowledge and practices is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
• Eastern Sudan faces challenges in healthcare access, making TBA practices particularly impactful.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge and practices of TBAs in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.
• To identify specific areas for improvement in TBA training and support.
• To inform strategies for enhancing maternal and neonatal care in the region.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving interviews with 111 TBAs in Eastern Sudan.
• Data collection conducted between March and April 2011.
• Inquiry focused on hygiene, equipment sterilization, referral awareness, family planning, HIV/AIDS, and neonatal care.

Main Results:

• Hand-washing was a universal practice, but only 25.2% used sterilized equipment.
• Low awareness regarding hospital referral criteria, family planning, and HIV/AIDS was observed.
• None of the TBAs knew or used neonatal resuscitation equipment or recognized critical neonatal warning signs.
• A significant proportion (28.8%) held misconceptions about delayed milk production.

Conclusions:

• Substantial improvements in TBA knowledge and practices are urgently needed in Eastern Sudan.
• Comprehensive training programs are essential to address identified gaps.
• Enhancing TBA capabilities is a critical step towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health.