Tea with a Midwife

In 2015, Patty Peek (MSU College of Nursing) conducted research on Naitolia women's reproductive health and found they rarely delivered at a clinic. Rather, most delivered at home with a traditional birth attendant. Women frequently developed post-partum infections, but faced major challenges to seeking treatment. If women could not walk to the clinic – as far as 10 km from their homes – during or after birth, then they had to hire a motorbike for transport.

Tea with a Midwife was a series of educational sessions on reproductive health. The first session in early 2016 introduced villagers to the Makuyuni Clinic doctor and midwife. Over 50 women and men attended the tea, including the eight Naitolia traditional birth attendants, village leaders, health workers, and the village health committee. The doctor and midwife encouraged women to deliver in clinics and shared a Danger Signs During Pregnancy poster.

The second session was conducted on early signs of labor in November 2016 at the new Naitolia dispensary. Approximately 15 women of childbearing age and their infants attended along with four traditional birth attendants. The third session, which focused on family planning, was attended by 16 women and 9 men in January 2017. Following sessions focused on family planning due to community interest.