INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN DISSEMINATING HEALTH COMMUNICATION MESSAGES IN AWKA NORTH LGA
Keywords:
Investigation, Role, Dissemination, Traditional Birth Attendants, Health Communication messages, Maternal Health, Awka North LGA.Abstract
This study investigated the role of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in disseminating maternal health communication messages in Awka North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Nigeria. Despite persistent challenges in Nigeria’s maternal health outcomes, TBAs remain central to community-level maternal care due to their accessibility, cultural alignment, and the trust they command. The study adopted a mixed-method research design involving a survey of 275 women of reproductive age and 25 registered TBAs, making it a total of 300, which is the sample size of the study, while in-depth interviews had 14 participants which include 2 TBAs and 12 women that were purposively selected. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean scores, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed using Yin’s explanation-building technique. Findings revealed that TBAs commonly disseminate messages on antenatal care, nutrition, danger signs in pregnancy, immunization, and family planning, with antenatal care emphasized most. TBAs mainly rely on personal experience and use culturally grounded communication methods such as face-to-face counseling, storytelling, proverbs, and the Igbo language. Women perceived TBA health messages as clear, culturally relevant, and influential in shaping their maternal health decisions. However, major challenges identified include lack of formal training, poor access to educational materials, limited collaboration with health workers, and cultural resistance. The study concludes that TBAs play a vital yet under-supported role in maternal health communication. It recommends structured training, provision of educational materials, and improved collaboration between TBAs and the formal health sector to strengthen maternal health outcomes in rural communities.
References
Abdulwahab, Lawal, S., Salawu, W., Makanjuola, O., Ambali, A., Alabi, O., Kareem, A., & Nwakama, C. (2023). Knowledge and utilization of traditional birth attendants by women in a rural community of Ilorin, Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Disease & Health, 44(16), 1–8.
Adatara, P., Afaya, A., Baku, E. A., Salia, S. M., & Asempah, A. (2018). Perspective of traditional birth attendants on their experiences and roles in maternal health care in rural areas of Northern Ghana. International Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 2165627. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2165627
Agwu, P., Poitier, F., Mbachu, C., &Onwujekwe, O. (2025). Solving delayed referrals of childbirth cases from unskilled to skilled birth attendants in Nigerian urban communities: A case study exploration of new frontiers. Midwifery, 146, 104397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104397
Akute, Y. I., &Ige, B. (2023). Overview of traditional birth attendance in Nigeria. International Journal of Nursing, Midwife and Health Related Cases, 9(3), 1–11. https://eajournals.org/ijnmh/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2023/08/Overview-of-Traditional-Birth.pdf
Amutah-Onukagha, N., Rodriguez, M., Opara, I., Gardner, M., Assan, A. M., Hammond, R., Plata, J., Pierre, K., &Farag, E. (2017). Progresses and challenges of utilizing traditional birth attendants in maternal and child health in Nigeria. Systematic Review, 6(2), 130–138. https://doi.org/10.21106/ijma.216
Ayiasi, R. M., Criel, B., Orach, C. G., Nabiwemba, E., &Kolsteren, P. (2022). Social and behavioral factors influencing the utilization of maternal health services in low-resource settings: Application of Social Cognitive Theory. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1054.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
Carpenter, C. J. (2010). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of Health Belief Model variables in predicting behavior. Health Communication, 25(8), 661–669.
Dada, S., Tunçalp, Ö.,Portela, A., Barreix, M., & Gilmore, B. (2021). Community mobilization to strengthen support for appropriate and timely use of antenatal and postnatal care: A review of reviews. Journal of Global Health, 11, 04076. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.0407
Dogbanya, G. (2025). Maternal mortality in Nigeria: Holding the line in uncertain times. Annals of Global Health, 91(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4710
Janz, N. K., & Becker, M. H. (1984). The Health Belief Model: A decade later. Health Education Quarterly, 11(1), 1–47.
Jones, C. L., Jensen, J. D., Scherr, C. L., Brown, N. R., Christy, K., & Weaver, J. (2022). The Health Belief Model as an explanatory framework in communication research. Communication Monographs, 89(2), 133–157.
Kaso, M., &Addisse, M. (2022). Application of the Health Belief Model to antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22, 219.
Kassie, A., Wale, A., &Girma, D. (2022). The role of traditional birth attendants and problem of integration with health facilities in a remote rural community of West Omo Zone: Exploratory qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22, 425. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04753-5
Oluwole, E. O., Oluwadumila, T. E., Okafor, I. P., &Temitayo-Oboh, A. O. (2024). Perception and reasons for the choice of informal provider among women receiving antenatal care services from traditional birth attendants in rural communities of Lagos State, Nigeria. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0304856. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304856
Onye, K. U. (2024). Understanding the role of traditional birth attendants: Opportunities for inclusion into the primary health care system in Nigeria. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, 10(4), 74–81.
Otorkpa, M. J. (2021). TBA in Nigeria: Roles, advantages, disadvantages. Public Health Nigeria.
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the Health Belief Model. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 328–335.
Sibley, L. M., Sipe, T. A., & Barry, D. (2022). Traditional birth attendant training for improving health behaviours and pregnancy outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4, CD005460.
Sawyer, W. E. (2024). Influences and risks of traditional birth attendants in maternal and child health in the Global South. International Journal of Innovative Healthcare Research, 12(3), 7–19.
Schiavo, R. (2020). Health communication: From theory to practice (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
UNICEF. (2022). Improving maternal and newborn health through community engagement in Nigeria. UNICEF.
World Health Organization. (2023). Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2023: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division. WHO.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Author
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
