Community Capacity Building and Asset Mapping in Kashongi, Uganda

This research study was conducted between June and August 2011 in Kashongi, Western Uganda.  The purpose of this study was to research a certain population, Traditional Birth Attendants, investigate their practices and suggest a way that partnership between Progressive Health Partnership and TBAs could be achieved, in an efficient and sustainable manner. Total pool of respondents by the end of the study counted 88 participants, who included 85 interviewed TBAs, all residing in the sub-county of Kashongi. Research findings of this study present a general profile of TBAs describing their background, skills and practices. Results show that while majority of TBAs in the area remain mostly uneducated and unskilled in their practice, they remain important members of community in defining choices of childbearing women. It was found out that vast majority of TBAs are willing and open to cooperation with Progressive Health Partnership and Mayanja Memorial Hospital Foundation. However, this research study also shows that there are number of obstacles that prevent this partnership from taking place, yet claims that such implementation of such partnership would be significant in making sure that healthcare services are not only simply available but actually utilized by pregnant women in Kashongi.