THE ROLES OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT IN MATERNAL HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN IJEBU ODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE

The study examined the roles of traditional birth attendance in maternal health care delivery system in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The study adopted descriptive survey method of research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) pregnant women attending antenatal clinic from ten (10) selected primary health care centres in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. Literature modified and close-ended questionnaire was employed to elicit responses from the respondents. Descriptive statistic of simple percentages, frequency counts, mean and standard deviation were used to analysed the demographic data and research questions while inferential statistics of multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Four (4) research hypotheses were postulated for the study, and the findings revealed that socio-demographic factors and perceptions of TBA services significantly influence their utilisation. Additionally, TBA training was found to have a significant positive impact on maternal health outcomes when compared to formal healthcare providers. The study recommended that, primary healthcare development agencies, should implement targeted health education interventions for pregnant women. These should particularly focus on those with low levels of formal education, rural residence, low income, and high parity. State Ministries of Health should conduct public awareness campaigns aimed at changing how pregnant women perceive TBA services.