Vertical Transmission of HIV: The Role of Traditional Birth Attendants

Many women of child bearing age in Sub-Saharan Africa are still being attended to at deliveries by traditional birth attendants. Inclination towards home birth supervised by traditional birth attendants is associated with cultural norms, religious beliefs as well as cost and accessibility of the services. The transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, and during the period of breastfeeding is by far the most common routes of HIV infection in children in Africa. In the absence of suitable interventions during these stages, the rate of vertical transmission of HIV can attain epidemic levels.