The knowledge and attitudes of traditional birth attendants towards HIV/AIDS and their beliefs related to perinatal care: a study conducted in KwaZulu Natal.

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are still mainly being utilized in the rural areas even in the presence of the formal health care facilities. Studies reveal that the utilization of TBAs is beneficial in some other contexts with some support and supervision from the western health sector. In order to develop further training for TBAs the researchers deemed it necessary to assess their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to HIV/AIDS, prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. This was a survey of an identified group of TBAs who had already received some training and were currently practicing in the catchment areas. Five Primary health care (PHC) clinics from Abaqulusi sub-district in Zululand Health District, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, were selected as sites for the focus groups. A total of 57 TBAs participated in focus groups and completed a questionnaire. The HIV/AIDS knowledge questionnaire consisted of 16 questions about transmission, symptoms, course of the disease and its risk factors. An assessment tool was used to assess attitudes, beliefs and practice in relation to pregnancy, delivery and postnatal care. The results of this study demonstrated that the TBAs have a good knowledge of what they are doing.