ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PROPHYLAXIS OF NEONATAL TETANUS AMONG TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS

To asses the knowledge of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) regarding prophylaxis of neonatal tetanus. The study was conducted in District Bhakkar Pakistan. All the TBAs in the area were interviewed to collect information on demographic characteristics, training and knowledge. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test where appropriate, was used as test of significance. There were 48 TBAs in the area. Fifty two percent were trained, 85% were more than 40 years of age, and 94 % were illiterate. All literate and 58% of illiterate TBAs knew about neonatal tetanus (NT). Eighty four percent of trained and 92% of untrained TBAs had unsatisfactory hygienic conditions of nails. All the TBAs had no knowledge about the exact number of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) injections given during pregnancy. All TBAs boiled the instruments for less than 15 minutes. Eighty four percent of trained and 47% of untrained TBAs knew about cutting of the cord with new blade. Only 12% of trained and 8% of untrained TBAs knew about not applying anything on the cord after cutting. Sixteen percent of all had no knowledge of Safe Delivery Kit (SDK). Only 33% knew gloves should be used for delivery. No TBA either trained or untrained was found sound in knowledge regarding prophylaxis of Neonatal Tetanus. Efforts are required to train TBAs, improve their quality of training, and offering continued training for the trained TBAs in the form of short courses / workshops