Consider prevention of mother-to child transmission of HIV
The debate on the role of traditional birth attendants in improving
maternal and perinatal health(1) is germane particularly in the context of
the millennium development goal of reducing child and maternal mortality
by 2015. It refocuses on the measure of the proportion of deliveries
assisted by skilled competent attendants.
Uneducated mothers tended to have traditional birth attendants(2); care
and delivery in medical institutions promote child survival and reduces
the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality(3)
With reported incidences of 6.9% HIV prevalence in the antenatal
population(4) in parts of Nigeria, it is salutary to consider wider
adoption of institutional delivery to maximise prevention of mother-to-
child transmission and appropriate care for the HIV infected mother and
her partner(s).
This is a role that cannot be filled by traditional birth attendants ; it
needs political will in implementation of the National Health Bill of
Nigeria currently awaiting Presidential assent(5) and participation of the
significant Nigerian healthcare workers in Diaspora in enabling and
maintaining capacity for institutional delivery.
References
(1) Harrison KA. Are traditional birth attendants good for improving
maternal and perinatal health? No. BMJ 2011; 342.
(2) Wanjira C, Mwangi M, Mathenge E, Mbugua G, Ng'ang'a Z. Delivery
Practices and Associated Factors among Mothers Seeking Child Welfare
Services in Selected Health Facilities in Nyandarua South District, Kenya.
BMC Public Health 2011; 11:360.
(3) Pardeshi GS, Dalvi SS, Pergulwar CR, Gite RN, Wanje SD. Trends
in choosing place of delivery and assistance during delivery in Nanded
district, Maharashtra, India. J Health Popul Nutr 2011; 29(1):71-76.
(4) Okeudo C, B U E, Ojiyi EC. Maternal HIV positive sero-prevalence
at delivery at a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern nigeria. Niger J Med
2010; 19(4):471-474.
(5) Hope for health in Nigeria. Lancet 2011; 377(9781):1891.
Rapid Response:
Consider prevention of mother-to child transmission of HIV
The debate on the role of traditional birth attendants in improving
maternal and perinatal health(1) is germane particularly in the context of
the millennium development goal of reducing child and maternal mortality
by 2015. It refocuses on the measure of the proportion of deliveries
assisted by skilled competent attendants.
Uneducated mothers tended to have traditional birth attendants(2); care
and delivery in medical institutions promote child survival and reduces
the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality(3)
With reported incidences of 6.9% HIV prevalence in the antenatal
population(4) in parts of Nigeria, it is salutary to consider wider
adoption of institutional delivery to maximise prevention of mother-to-
child transmission and appropriate care for the HIV infected mother and
her partner(s).
This is a role that cannot be filled by traditional birth attendants ; it
needs political will in implementation of the National Health Bill of
Nigeria currently awaiting Presidential assent(5) and participation of the
significant Nigerian healthcare workers in Diaspora in enabling and
maintaining capacity for institutional delivery.
References
(1) Harrison KA. Are traditional birth attendants good for improving
maternal and perinatal health? No. BMJ 2011; 342.
(2) Wanjira C, Mwangi M, Mathenge E, Mbugua G, Ng'ang'a Z. Delivery
Practices and Associated Factors among Mothers Seeking Child Welfare
Services in Selected Health Facilities in Nyandarua South District, Kenya.
BMC Public Health 2011; 11:360.
(3) Pardeshi GS, Dalvi SS, Pergulwar CR, Gite RN, Wanje SD. Trends
in choosing place of delivery and assistance during delivery in Nanded
district, Maharashtra, India. J Health Popul Nutr 2011; 29(1):71-76.
(4) Okeudo C, B U E, Ojiyi EC. Maternal HIV positive sero-prevalence
at delivery at a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern nigeria. Niger J Med
2010; 19(4):471-474.
(5) Hope for health in Nigeria. Lancet 2011; 377(9781):1891.
Competing interests: No competing interests