Knowledge and Practice of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Eritrea

Objective: Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Eritrea, in order to stimulate discussions and decisions on the role of TBAS and the way forward. Methods: the study was a cross sectional survey undertaken using structured interviews with TBAs that was conducted to collect data on their knowledge, practice, training status and the support and supervision they get from health staff. Findings: This study reveals that only 58 percent of traditional birth attendants in Eritrea use appropriate and sterile instruments. There is therefore an urgent need for improving the spread of the use of appropriate sterile instrumentsTraditional Birth Attendants, a practice which is important not only fot the prevention of puerperal sepsis but also for the prevention of the spread of HIV-AIDS. Over all only 36 percent of TBAs had supervisory support in the six months prior to the study. Conclusion: The study concludes that, as long as TBAs continue to function as delivery attendants, we need to educate and encourage them to identify danger signs and to promptly refer complications