The study was conducted in 18 villages and 5 cities in Assiut Govemorate to compare the
knowledge of trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and untrained (TBAs) concerning labour.
The study included 58 traditional birth attendants divided to 38 TBAs trained and 20 TBAs were
not attending training program. Data- were collected through a questionnaire sheet during the
period from February 1999 to May 1999 through the interview of the TBAs during the home
visits for TBA on two days per week. The result of this study indicated that 87.9% of the sample
were from rural areas and 12.1 % from urban. Statistical significant differences were found
between trained TBAs and untrained (TBAs) in relation to their knowledge about the time of
enema X = 10.30 , P = <0.05 and their knowledge about care during the preparation
for labour X/· =10.3Q, P= <0.05. There is no statistical significant difference between the two
groups in their knowledge related to most items. The present study recommended that Particular
at attention should be given to help the traditional birth attendants how to read and write, this will
help to improve their knowledge, refresher courses should be provided periodically for TBAs so
that their knowledge are up-graded regularly.