Abstract:
Background: Globally, between 2000 and 2017, maternal mortality ratio declined by 38%, with global lifetime risk
of maternal death falling from 1 in 73 to 1 in 180, respectively. In West Pokot County, Kenya, over half of deliveries
are managed by traditional birth attendants. The study investigated the effect of TBAs-led intervention on utilization
of skilled birth care in this County.
Methods: The study employed a prospective experimental design.In the intervention arm, TBAs were recruited and
trained on SBC. Theywere assigned expectant mothers and followed until they delivered their babies. Chi-square test
was used to determine the relationship between variables. Binary logistic regression was used to compare utilization
of SBC between the intervention and control sites.
Results: Majorityof mothers(95%)in the intervention arm of the study went forTBAs’services , and 79.5% of those
in the control did the same. Most mothers in the intervention (81.4%) delivered in health care facility compared to
58.2% in the control (χ2=21.256, p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the odds of mothers utilizing SBC
between intervention and control groups. Those in the intervention group were almost 3 times more likely to utilize
SBC than those in the control group (UOR; 95% CI: 3.137; 1.909-5.155).
Conclusions: TBAs-led intervention increased utilization of SBC among mothers in the intervention compared to
those in the control arm who utilized available ministry of health’s standard care.
