The fate of women who deliver at home in rural Kwazulu. Assessment of the place of traditional birth attendants in the South African health services.

A community survey was carried out to establish the fate of rural Zulu women and their infants after home delivery. The results of a pilot project for training traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in the area are described. The authors conclude that potentially there is an important place for TBAs in the obstetric services of rural South Africa and recommend official recognition and preliminary extension of this programme.