Integrating Traditional Birth Attendants into Formal Healthcare Systems to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Benin,

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) play a crucial role in maternal healthcare in rural areas of Benin, where access to formal health services is limited. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to assess TBA practices and community needs. TBAs were found to provide essential care during childbirth, with a reported success rate of 92% in managing complications. However, they often lack formal training and support from the healthcare system. The integration of TBAs into the formal healthcare system could significantly improve maternal health outcomes by leveraging existing community networks. Formal healthcare providers should collaborate with TBAs to provide comprehensive care, ensuring that TBA practices align with recognised standards. Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p_i)=\beta_0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.