Perceptions on Traditional Birth Attendants Integration into the Primary Health Care System in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

The study assessed perceptions of traditional birth attendants on their integration into the primary health care system with credence to the Health Belief Model. Two focus group discussion sessions were held with Eighteen (18) traditional birth attendants resident in Ikenne Local Government Area in Ogun State, Nigeria. Participants were predominately female (seventy percent), compare to thirty percent male. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of data. Data were transcribed from audio to text to facilitate analysis, cleaned to avoid repetitive reporting and then coded according to the groups, themes and sub-themes. The study revealed that traditional birth attendants had poor knowledge on their integration into the primary health care system. However, participants had a clear understanding and definition of their roles as traditional birth attendants. Governmental backing, provision of automatic referrals, and monetary compensation (commission per referral) were identified as cues to action for the participants towards the integration. It is recommended that traditional birth attendants should be sought and reached out to by the health system, as regards the intention of the government to integrate them into the primary health care system. Materials and equipment should also be provided for them. As traditional birth attendants are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with the health system based on monetary terms, the health system should seize this opportunity to improve on the production, standardization and management of herbal and unconventional drugs. This could go a long way in the reduction of mortality from drug misuse and overuse, and also increase the country’s revenue.