The impact of training traditional birth attendants in improving MCH care in rural Bangladesh.

This study evaluates the impact of training in changing the knowledge and practices of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) with regard to antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care of mothers and newborn babies. Training has improved the quality of their care. Most TBAs (71.2%) had traditional beliefs as to the cause of neonatal sickness, and training has led them to change their beliefs in favour of infection. Prior to training, a majority (58%) of the TBAs never used to make antenatal visits, while after training 72% of them began making such visits. They also have learned the importance of antiseptic measures during delivery. Training also has helped to eliminate harmful practices such as septic abortion.