An Evaluation Between the Utilization of Primary Health Care Centers (phc) and Traditional Health Attendants (tbas) for Antenatal Deliveries in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State

ABSTRACT

Several studies have revealed the continuous lack of utilization of Public Health Care (PHC) Centers for antenatal and post-natal care which has resulted in many complications during and after pregnancies. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the trends in utilizing Primary Health Care (PHC) medical facilities and alternative traditional (TBA) for antenatal care in Etsako East. The study was aimed at evaluating the factors that lead pregnant women to use or not use existing PHC centers and TBAs for antenatal and delivery care. Two hypotheses were set up, they include, that there is no significant difference between the factors that propel prenatal women to use or not use existing primary health care (PHCs) facilities for antenatal and that of the TBAs for delivery care; and that there is no significant difference in the number of deliveries in PHCs and alternative TBAs in Etsako East LGA. The study relied on both primary and secondary data (such as well-structured questionnaires, interviews and personal observation; and previous literature in addition to documents in the administrative office at the Local Government Council, Agenebode) to elicit reasons for acceptance or refusal to use the health facilities (PHC) and or the traditional birth attendants (TBAs). The hypotheses were tested using the Student-test and Mann-Whitney U-test respectively. Results showed that the cost of delivery in the PHC centers was the major reason behind the use of TBAs and on the other hand, skilled and technical hands, plus educational exposure formed the reasons for the utilization of PHC by a majority of those who use PHC medical facilities in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The second result revealed that TBAs receive antenatal delivery cases more than the PHC centers in Etsako East local government area, Edo State. Recommendations were made which included free antenatal care by all PHCs in Nigeria and special funding, training and retraining of personnel.