title: Perceptions of quality of reproductive care services in Bolivia: use of photo prompts and surveys as an impetus for change.
abstract: Surveys are sometimes used to assess women's perceptions of the quality of reproductive health care, but less empowered women may feel uncomfortable expressing their views in this method. We demonstrate the use of a participatory approach, combining a standard survey with an innovative photonarrative method. Women in Cochabamba, Bolivia, were asked to participate in exit surveys (n = 108). A subsample did photonarratives (n = 20). The survey showed rural women had less access to care, but photonarratives revealed the cause - fear. Women asserted quality of care was high, but photonarratives contradicted survey results. Staff used photonarratives to select action items for quality improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Administration and Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7411, USA. Deborah Bender@unc.edu
authors.forename: Deborah E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santander
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Patiño
authors.forename: Melanie R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wasserman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D001838:Bolivia; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health