Performance-based incentive for improving quality of maternal health services in Bangladesh

Document Type

Article (peer-reviewed)

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

Poor motivation of providers, primarily caused by low remuneration and/or non-existence of financial incentives, has been a key challenge to improve the quality of maternal health services in the public sector health facilities in rural Bangladesh. An operations research study examined the impact of performance-based incentive for service providers at the institutional level to improve the quality of maternal health services. Quality of care was assessed through monitoring visits of professionals from higher-level health facilities, which contributed to improved service provision within the facilities. Quality scores of the facilities increased from 55% to 78% in 14 months of intervention with significant improvement in antenatal care, postnatal counseling, and institutional delivery (p < 0.01). Importantly, client satisfaction increased remarkably in the intervention facilities. Performance-based incentive has the potential for motivating service providers in improving the quality of maternal health services and for increasing the utilization of facilities for maternal health services in Bangladesh.

DOI

10.2190/IQ.34.4.b

Language

English

Project

RH Vouchers: Evaluating Voucher-and-Accreditation Programs to Improve Maternal and Reproductive Health Service Delivery

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS