FARIDA HABIB, LUBNA BAIG, SAADIA AZIZ.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) regarding care of mother and baby from prenatal till lactation period.

Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Junejo Goth, Mehmodabad, Karachi, over a period of 2 months.

Materials and Methods: First 35 Traditional Birth Attendants registered in the Dai Training Course conducted by Karachi Medical and Dental College and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital were evaluated. A closed ended questionnaire was prepared consisting of 20 different questions.

Results: Eight point six percent (8.6%) of the Traditional Birth Attendants did not monitor fetal heart sounds during labour, 31.4% did not know that giving tetanus toxoid to the mother save newborn from the disease. Eleven point five percent (11.5%) did not apply any antiseptic to the umbilical stump whereas 28.5% of the Traditional Birth Attendants did not wrap the newborn immediately after birth. Still 40% were not in favor of giving colostrum to the baby and 65.7 % considered breast milk as the only diet upto 2 years of age.

Conclusion: Traditional Birth Attendants need training in a district hospital and periodical evalua

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi * Professor, Dept. Of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi *
Principal & Professor, Dept. Of Gynae & Obs., Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi *