Abstract:
Knowledge is considered as justified true belief.
It is a condition of knowing fact or something through a
combination of skills, experience and understanding values,
relative information and expertise. Indigenous knowledge
held by Birth Companions and expectant mothers enables
them to share knowledge on maternal health care and climate
change thereby learn to accommodate any changes likely to
be realized during referrals. This paper discusses the
tripartite link between knowledge sharing of birth
companions on maternal health, indigenous knowledge and
climate change. The study used mixed method approach
based on a survey design. Data was collected from 782
sampled from a population of 5768 comprising of birth
companions, community health volunteers, public health
officers, district health officers, matrons and director health
services using questionnaires, interview and observation
checklists. Qualitative data was analysed using statistical
software package (SPSS) to generate descriptive and
inferential statistics while the qualitative data was analysed
thematically. The study found out that Birth companions use
indigenous knowledge to help in massaging expectant
mothers and herbal medicinal care to ease the pains during
labour. Indigenous knowledge was used to share with
expectant mothers on preparation of birth plans and danger
signs. The study recommends that birth companions need to
be conversant with climate changes in their environments
and should make use of the indigenous knowledge while
residing in a place for a longer time.
