ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis among traditional birth attendants in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research objectives and their corresponding research questions were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive design was used for the study. The accessible population was 120 TBAs. A self –developed validated structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data obtained were presented in frequencies and percentages. The hypothesis was tested with Chi-square (X²). The results obtained showed that most of the respondents 65 (54.2%) affirmed that a pregnant woman can contract puerperal sepsis during child birth. Majority affirmed that the use of single needles and syringes per patient 99 (82.5%), constant hand washing hygiene 88 (73.3%) and frequent use of sterilized delivery kits78 (65.0%) helps in preventing puerperal sepsis. Majority of the TBAs 86 (71.7%) practiced hand washing hygiene, 75 (62.5%) administers micronutrients, 87 (72.5%) uses antibiotics, 109 (90.8%) practices wearing of gloves, 62 (51.7%) uses vaginal antiseptics and 75 (62.5%) maintains personal hygiene for prevention of puerperal sepsis. Unavailability of equipment and clean delivery kits 88 (73.3%), lack of sterilization agents 82 (68.3%), inadequate supply of antibiotics 74 (61.7%) and work overload 43 (35.8%) are some of the factors that hinders practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis. Significant statistical relationship was found between knowledge level and the practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis among the TBAs. This is so because the Chi-square calculated (X² Cal.) 40.145 is greater than the Chi-square critical (X² Cri.) 3.84. Therefore the null hypothesis was rejected. It was recommended among others that health care providers should develop programs for TBAs and pregnant mothers targeting towards the enhancement of awareness on puerperal sepsis as well as hand washing hygiene education.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE                                                                                                 i

CERTIFICATION                                                                                         ii

DEDICATION                                                                                               iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS                                                                           iv

ABSTRACT                                                                                                   v

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                               vi

LIST OF FIGURES                                                                                      vii

LIST OF TABLES                                                                                        viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the study

1.2       Statement of Problem

1.3       Purpose of study

1.4        Specific objectives are to:

1.5        Research questions

1.6        Research hypothesis

1.7        Scope of the study

1.8        Significance of the study

1.9        Limitation of the study

1.10          Operational definition of terms according to the study

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Concept of puerperal sepsis (PS)

2.2       Epidemiology of puerperal sepsis (PS)

2.3       Knowledge for prevention of puerperal sepsis among traditional birth attendants

2.4       Practice of prevention of puerperal sepsis among traditional birth attendants

2.5       Factors hindering the practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis among

traditional birth attendants

2.6       Causes of puerperal sepsis (PS)

2.7       Safety precaution: measures to prevention of puerperal sepsis

2.8       Theoretical framework

2.8.1    Component of health belief model to prevention of puerperal

Sepsis (PS)             

2.8.2    Application of the model to study

2.9       Summary of literature review

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1.      Research design

3.2.      Research setting

3.3.      Research population

3.3.1.   Target population

3.3.2.   Accessible population

3.4.      Sample and sampling technique

3.5.      Instrument for data collection

3.5.1.   Validity of instrumentation

3.5.2.   Reliability of the instrument

CHAPTER FOUR : DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.1.  Socio-demographic data of the respondents

4.2     Results for the research questions

4.2.1 Research question one

4.2.2 Research question two

4.2.3 Research question three

4.3       Hypothesis testing

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS

5.1 Discussion of the findings

5.1.1 Research question one

5.1.2 Research question Two

5.1.3 Research question three

5.1.4    Hypothesis testing

5.2  Implication to nursing

5.3 Summary of the study

5.4.  Conclusion

5.5  Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1: Health Belief Model

FIG. 2:  A bar chart showing practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis.

LIST OF TABLES

 Table 1: Socio-demographic data of TBAs in Calabar South LGA 

Table  2: Knowledge level for prevention of puerperal sepsis among TBAs

Table 3: Practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis among TBAs

Table 4: Factors that hinder the practice for prevention of puerperal sepsis

Table 5:  Relationship between knowledge level and the practice for prevention of

puerperal sepsis among TBAs