Development and Fit Assessment of Functional Garment for Traditional Birth Attendants in Lagos State

The study developed and assessed the fit of functional garments for traditional birth attendants in Lagos State. Five research questions guided the study. The study adopted a mixed- method research design that comprises a descriptive survey design and Research and Development (R & D). The study population consisted of 728. This comprised 718 TBAs in Lagos State and 10 judges (2 midwives and 8 Home Economics Lecturers). The sample for this study comprised 250 participants, including all 10 judges and 240 TBAs. Three sampling techniques utilised were multi- stage sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Findings revealed that the challenges in the clothes worn by TBAs while performing their tasks included discomfort during tasks and restricted movement caused by the garments. Findings on the reasons they need clothes with special features in child delivery tasks included protection against infections, comfort while carrying out activities, and ease of movement during tasks. TBAs indicated that the clothes currently worn while carrying out tasks were not appropriate for their needs. The three designs of functional garments produced for the TBAs, based on the desired criteria and preferences, included a short gown below the knee, an overall, and trousers with a blouse. Findings on the appropriateness of various styles of the functional garment indicated that they allowed for easy body movement and had an excellent fit. It was recommended that there should be field testing of the developed functional garment to determine the protective properties of the functional garments for TBAs.