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Experiences and beliefs of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant
Author(s) -
Ryan Julia,
Hamela Gloria,
Chome Nelecy,
Kabondo Charity,
Hosseinipour Mina,
Tang Jennifer
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.11.006
Subject(s) - medicine , focus group , qualitative research , nursing , situational ethics , family medicine , health care , health facility , population , environmental health , health services , social psychology , psychology , social science , marketing , sociology , business , economics , economic growth
Objective To explore the beliefs and experiences of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant (TBA). Methods In a qualitative study, 20 face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted between February and May 2013. Women aged 18 years or older and who had a history of delivery with a TBA were recruited from three health centers in Lilongwe District. Their responses were independently coded, and content analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes. Results A total of 46 women participated. Most participants cited difficulties relating to transport and/or unsupportive or unavailable husbands as factors that prohibited their delivery at a health facility. Most had not had a specific delivery plan. The participant responses indicated a discordance between knowledge and practices for safe delivery. Conclusion Strategies to decrease deliveries with TBAs should focus on helping women to develop delivery plans to cope with the potential social or situational obstacles of getting to a facility. Women desire health facilities that provide quality care, emotional support, and personalized care during labor and delivery.