The proportion of women who patronized traditional birth attendants (TBAs) or modern health care practitioners (MHCPs) was compared, including reasons for their choices. A comparative design was adopted to study 300 respondents selected through a multistage systematic random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a validated 21-item structured questionnaire. We observed that 75 (25%) patronized and 80 (27%) preferred TBAs, and 206 (69%) patronized and 220 (75%) preferred MHCPs, while 19 (6%) patronized both. The view that TBAs prayed before conducting deliveries was supported by a majority 75 (94%) of the respondents who preferred them. Factors associated with preference for TBAs should be addressed.

In order to function in the increasingly complex healthcare environment, every nurse is required to have basic computer competencies, be able to access, use and evaluate relevant nursing information and possess information management skills. Nurse Faculty, Nurse/Midwife educators are vested with the responsibility of producing the crop of nurses who have the capabilities to fit into the current trend of nursing practice. Literature has shown that comprehensive informatics content is lacking in the nursing curricular at all levels of nursing education in Nigeria. There is preponderance of evidence showing that training in NI is critical in the delivery of safe and quality patient care. This paper examines the current state of nursing informatics education and use in Nigeria and proffer solutions for its future expansion. It is recommended as follows: Nursing programme accrediting bodies in Nigeria (National University Commission [NUC] and Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria [NMCN] should modify their requirements to reflect the value of NI. NI should be incorporated into the nursing curricular at all levels. Nursing administrators such as Deans, Heads of Department, Director of Nursing Services and Principals as well as Nursing associations like National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives [NANNM] and Nigerian Association of University Nursing Programme [NAUNP], should create opportunities for faculty members, Nurse/Midwife educators to develop knowledge & skills required to teach nursing informatics. Faculty members & Nurse/Midwife educators should acquire informatics training and advocate for curricular changes that incorporate informatics and collaborate with colleagues in the clinical settings to provide opportunities for nursing students to utilize informatics tools.

Objective: This study compared two groups of women—those with a preference for traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and those with a preference for modern health care practitioners (MHCPs)—at Akpabuyo, Cross River state, Nigeria with regard to their level of knowledge about the risks of patronizing the TBAs; perception of costs of services; educational qualifications; traditional beliefs; and income status. Method: A comparative descriptive design and a multistage systematic random-sampling technique were used to study 300 women of child-bearing age, 18–45 years, who had delivered at least one baby or were pregnant and residing at the study area. A validated questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Results: Most of the participants, 156 (52.0%), had primary education, 113 (37.7%) had secondary education, 26 (8.7%) had tertiary education and 5 (1.7%) had no formal education. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups of respondents with regard to knowledge of the risks involved in patronizing TBAs; perception of costs of delivery with MHCPs; traditional beliefs; and income levels (Cal. t =3.26; 4.96; 6.61 and 3.88 > Crit. t = 1.96; df 298; P = 0.05). Women with a preference for MHCPs had a higher mean score (mean = 3.78) for knowledge; perception of lower cost of delivery services with MHCPs (mean = 7.57); lower adherence to traditional beliefs (mean = 5.25) but poorer and lower income level (mean = 1.12) compared with those who preferred TBAs (mean = 2.99; 8.88; 6.33 and 1.75 respectively). Most of the respondents (n = 54; 67.5%) whose educational level was below secondary education preferred TBAs compared with 113 (51.4%) of those with secondary education and above who preferred MHCPs. Conclusion: Recommendations focused on improvement of women's educational level to enhance their decision-making abilities with respect to choice of delivery services.

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