Health Policy and Planning; 15(3): 326-331
© Oxford University Press
2000
Research reports |
The impact of traditional birth attendant training on delivery complications in Ghana
1 Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA,
2 Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana,
3 Save the Children, Mangochi, Malawi and
4 United States Agency for International Development, Washington DC, USA
Objectives: In their efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, many national and international agencies make considerable investments in training traditional birth attendants (TBAs). The value of TBA training is controversial, and plausible arguments are made both for and against. Numerous process evaluations are reported in the literature and the results are mixed, though generally positive. Outcome evaluations, however, are scarce. This article describes an outcome evaluation of TBA training conducted in two districts of Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, during 1996. Design and methods: Data from a random sample survey of 1961 clients of TBAs were subjected to logistic regression modelling to determine the effect of training on maternal outcomes, controlling for other independent variables. Results: Of eight outcomes modelled, three were associated with training and five were not. Three additional outcomes were not modelled, primarily due to low prevalence. Conclusions: Despite some inherent design limitations, this study found that the evidence for a beneficial impact of TBA training was not compelling. Training sponsors should consider alternative health investments and, where TBA training remains the intervention of choice, be realistic about expectations of impact.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. E Kruk, S. Galea, M. Prescott, and L. P Freedman Health care financing and utilization of maternal health services in developing countries Health Policy Plan., September 1, 2007; 22(5): 303 - 310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. A Haws, A. L Thomas, Z. A Bhutta, and G. L Darmstadt Impact of packaged interventions on neonatal health: a review of the evidence Health Policy Plan., July 1, 2007; 22(4): 193 - 215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Siddiqi, J. Newell, and M. Robinson Getting evidence into practice: what works in developing countries? Int. J. Qual. Health Care, October 1, 2005; 17(5): 447 - 454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Z. A. Bhutta, G. L. Darmstadt, B. S. Hasan, and R. A. Haws Community-Based Interventions for Improving Perinatal and Neonatal Health Outcomes in Developing Countries: A Review of the Evidence Pediatrics, February 1, 2005; 115(2/S1): 519 - 617. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|