Household costs and time to seek care for pregnancy related complications: The role of results-based financing

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182326
• Publication Date: 2017-09-21T17:31:52Z
• Authors: Jobiba Chinkhumba; Manuela De Allegri; Jacob Mazalale; Stephan Brenner; Don Mathanga; Adamson S. Muula; Bjarne Robberstad
• Keywords: Receipt

Results-based financing (RBF) schemes–including performance based (PBF) and conditional cash transfers (CCT)-are increasingly being used to encourage use improve quality of institutional health care for pregnant women in order reduce maternal neonatal mortality low-income countries. While there is emerging evidence that RBF can increase service quality, little known on the impact costs time seek obstetric complications, although two represent important dimensions access. We conducted this study fill existing gap knowledge by investigating (PBF+CCT) household complications four districts Malawi. The analysis included data 2,219 with from three waves a population-based survey at baseline 2013 repeated 2014(midline) 2015(endline). Using before after approach controls, we applied generalized linear models association between care. Results indicated receipt was associated significant reduction expected mean experiencing an complication. Relative non-RBF, areas decreased 27.3% (95%CI: 28.4–25.9) midline 34.2% 37.8–30.4) endline. No substantial change observed. conclude reduced manifestation induced improvements, prompting faster decisions seeking level. Our results suggest may contribute timely emergency thus ultimately beneficiary populations.