DETERMINANTS OF REFERRALS PRACTICES OF CLIENTS BY UNSKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN NORTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

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Ojong, I. N, Nsemo, A. D., Agba Mathias

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of referrals practices of clients by Unskilled Birth Attendants in Northern Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The total population of unskilled birth attendants in the study area was two hundred and fifty five (255). All the unskilled birth attendants were used and no sampling technique was used. A validated questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.85, which served as an interview guide, developed by the researchers was used for the data collection. Data derived from the questionnaire were subjected to inferential statistic. Chi-square, Analysis of Variance and independent t-test were used to establish relationships between variables. Findings revealed that there was no relationship between unskilled birth attendants’ educational attainment and knowledge of cases for referrals. Also, there was no significant association between years of experience and practice of referrals of cases. However, a significant difference existed between trained and untrained unskilled birth attendants in the practice of referrals of cases to the next level of health care facilities. Based on these findings, it was recommended that Training and supervision of the unskilled birth attendants should be in tandem with strengthening of the referrals system and ensuring that all women have access to referral facilities capable of providing emergency obstetric care.

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