Publication Details

Household costs of obtaining maternal and newborn care in rural Bangladesh

baseline survey

Mohamed Nasir Uddin Khan
Zahidul Quayyum
Hashima-e-Nasreen
Tim Ensor
Sarah Salahuddin
2010

Abstract

The costs of obtaining skilled maternal and newborn care are major obstacles in accessing it, especially for the poor. A cross-sectional study of 1,200 married women, who had live birth in previous year, analyzed the costs incurred by households for maternal and newborn care in selected areas of rural Bangladesh. In pilot intervention area, as most mothers enjoy free ANC services from BRAC Shasthya Karmi (SK), there was higher utilisation with zero cost to households. Utilisation of home delivery by unskilled providers is pro-poor, while facilities are largely utilized by richer households. Costs of delivery care varied considerably by type of treatment. Out-of-pocket spending was major source for delivery care. Spending out of savings was higher in pilot intervention. Cost as barriers to seek skilled delivery care was reported by more mothers in areas where BRAC MNCH interventions are not in place. Mothers who did not obtain delivery care from skilled attendants reported to prefer public facilities if they could afford. And their anticipated cost at their preferred place was higher than those who have actually used those facilities. The number of households with catastrophic expenditure for obstetric care is quite low as most home deliveries and unskilled care attendants had a low level of payment. If mothers have at least three ANC visits and obtain skilled delivery care from facility the number of households making catastrophic payments would be higher. Attempts should be made to encourage able households to save for obstetric care. Informing about the fee charged can help mothers to have the right idea about the amount of money they have to spend for skilled care. Reducing cost of obtaining obstetric care, particularly for the poor, should be an appropriate measure to increase the utilisation of skilled care. Extreme poor households will continue to need financial support.

Publication Type(s)

Conference Paper

Ten Years of War Against Poverty Conference Papers

Conference: Ten Years of War Against Poverty

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