Village health workers' and traditional birth attendants' record keeping practices in two rural LGAs in Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Village health workers (VHWs) and Traditional Birth attendants (TBAs) provide health care services to the communities in which they live, improving access to health care as well as serving as an important link between the periphery (the communities) and the health sector. The data this category of workers generates about their communities will strengthen primary health care management information system in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of VHWs and TBAs regarding record keeping in Ibarapa Central and Akinyele local government areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria. Using a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire and an observation checklist, trained research assistants visited and interviewed all the active, registered VHWs and TBAs in the two LGAs. Results showed that there were a total of 62 and 102 active VHWs/TBAs in Ibarapa Central and Akinyele LGAs respectively with most of them being fanners aged between 30-59 years. Over two-thirds in both LGAs knew the uses of record keeping for monitoring and evaluation purposes and most of them felt that keeping records was easy. Sixty one percent of the respondents in Ibarapa Central and 96% of those in Akinyele LGA reported keeping records of their health activities. Of those who kept records, two thirds in Ibarapa Central and almost all (96%) in Akinyele LGA reported forwarding the records they keep. The type of records they keep was mostly on patients' treatment and (in Akinyele) delivery records using an exercise book. Most did not have the VHW/TBA record of work or the community profile s (wall chats) developed and recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) because they were not supplied. The factors associated with record keeping included duration as a VHW/TBA, previous training on record keeping, receiving feedback. Recommendations made included ensuring availability of materials and periodic training and re-training of the VHWs/TBAs by the LGAs, and regular provision of feedback by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).