Evaluation of SBA training programme in Karnataka

Introduction Skilled birth attendance (SBA) refers to the care provided to a woman and her newborn during pregnancy, childbirth and immediately after birth by an accredited and competent health care provider who has at her/his disposal the necessary equipment and the support of a functioning health system, including transport and referral facilities for emergency obstetric care. The skilled attendant is at the centre of the continuum of care. At the primary health care level, she/he will need to work with other care providers in the community, such as traditional birth attendants and social workers. She/he will also need strong working links with health care providers at the secondary and tertiary levels of the health system. The government of Karnataka is committed to ensure universal coverage of all births with skilled attendance and in this direction has introduced SBA training. This study was mandated with the intent to evaluate the implementation of SBA training for staff nurses and auxiliary nurse-midwives (ANM) across the 30 districts of Karnataka.