Improving Maternal and Child Health in India: Evaluating Demand and Supply Side Strategies (IMATCHINE)

The purpose of the provider incentive experiment was to understand the conditions of rural obstetric health care and maternal and neonatal health in the private sector, the difficulties that providers face in trying to provide care, and to investigate strategies to improve the quality of care and maternal and child health outcomes. The findings of this study will generate evidence for policies on how to engage with private sector providers in India. In order to
achieve the objectives of the study Sambodhi undertook the following activities:
1. First visit to the providers – Eligible obstetric care providers were requested to participate in the reward payment program, conducted a brief survey on provider expectations and given with documentation (paper and CD) on standard obstetric care and management of common obstetric complications and a general explanation of the program.
2. Second visit to the providers – Discussed the strategies that provider might pursue to provide the highest quality of care to pregnant women and infants who may come to them for care, Conducted a brief survey. Given patient list booklets and study information pamphlets.
3. Household survey- Listing of pregnant women was done in the villages of 165 study clusters prior to the household survey. Interviewed 25 new mothers from each provider’s facilities also interviewed 110 new mothers from each study cluster (Population list) over the period of 6 months.
Third Visit to the providers – final reward payments were given based on providers facility’s performance in the identified quality of care domains and conducted a brief survey.