An exploratory study of the prevalence of home deliveries at Mpumalanga Township in KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2001
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to explore the prevalence of home deliveries at Mpumalanga Clinic of Region "F" in KwaZulu-Natal. Data to establish the professional nurses* perceptions was collected from Professional Nurses, Traditional Birth Attendants and the clients visiting the clinic. Regarding the word of Traditional Birth Attendants, the findings and recommendations which are made were based on the reasons why clients still preferred to deliver at home and how Traditional Birth Attendants conducted deliveries, and the perceptions of nurses with the aim of improving the antenatal and delivery services to the surrounding communities.
The objectives of the study were:
• To identify the reasons for preference of unattended deliveries by skilled workers when safe monitored deliveries could be provided by trained midwives.
• To determine knowledge and attitude of clients towards the benefit of monitored deliveries by midwives.
• To develop guidelines for Traditional Birth Attendants.
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Both qualitative and descriptive methods were used to explore the attitudes of professional midwives on home deliveries conducted by Traditional Birth Attendants, and reasons for preference of home deliveries by clients and the delivery by the Traditional Birth Attendants.
For the study of home deliveries by Traditional Birth Attendants, the researcher needed to ensure trustworthiness and credibility of the information obtained from the subjects. For this purpose Guba's model was used as cited in De Vos (1998:350). It was necessary to use videotapes to study behaviour and human experience of the Traditional Birth Attendants. The questionnaire consisted of items such as experience that each Traditional Birth Attendant had e.g. how complications such as post-partum, haemorrhage, and asphyxia of the baby were dealt with.
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
BIRTH ATTENDANTS
The researcher constructed the following guidelines:
GUIDELINE NO.l
There should be establishment of database for Traditional Birth Attendants at Mpumalanga. This would assist in tracing Traditional Birth Attendants for important meetings, framing sessions or to enquire about certain patients that they had delivered.
GUIDELINE NO. 2
Training of Traditional Birth Attendants
It is clear that Traditional Birth Attendants had existed in all cultures and they are still existing and utilized by our communities. Training is therefore essential for safe practice by Traditional Birth Attendants.
GUIDELINE NO. 3
A curriculum for training of Traditional Birth Attendants should be constructed and sent to the Department of Health, the South African Qualification Association.
GUIDELINE NO.4
A body that monitors standards of practice should be consulted or a system whereby the clinics could work hand in hand with a Traditional Birth Attendant should be established.
GUIDELINE 5
Prevention of Infection
The Traditional Birth Attendants should be taught aseptic technique and should undergo a full programme of HIV prevention for safety of both Traditional Birth Attendants and patients that they deliver.
GUIDELINE NO.6
The Traditional Birth Attendants should be accepted as counterparts in the management of patients, because at times they perform duties which nurses cannot perform such as in peri-urban and rural areas where there is no transport at night and the client is in labour.
GUIDELINE NO 7
A needs analysis what the Traditional Birth Attendants need to learn must be performed so that training is made available to address these needs.
CONCLUSION
Not much on the subject of Traditional Birth Attendants has been published although it has existed and continues to exist in every culture. It is for this reason that it is not clearly understood. Also very little research ahs been done on Traditional Birth Attendants.
During data collection, information obtained from the subjects revealed that the Traditional Birth Attendants are important in our communities for the contributions that they make. The need for professionals to work with Traditional Birth Attendants has also been highlighted for safety of our community as well as Traditional Birth Attendants themselves in terms of safe deliveries and qualifications against infections.
Description
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for masters degree in the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2001.
Keywords
Childbirth at home--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal, Midwifery--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal