title: Can non-monetary incentives increase health facility deliveries? The experience in Thyolo District, Malawi.
abstract: Attendance for intrapartum care in Thyolo District, Malawi, was studied following implementation of a locally valued, non-monetary incentive. The number of facility-based deliveries per month was compared between the fourth quarter of 2007 and the third quarter of 2009, before and after introducing the incentive that included soap, a baby blanket and a traditional baby wrap. The number of deliveries in health facilities increased by 78% over the 2-year period. The increase was larger in peripheral rural facilities compared with the district hospital (94% vs. 38%). Locally developed incentives may lead to more women receiving professional maternity care in Malawi, particularly in rural areas.
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Malawi Mission, Thyolo Project, P.O. Box 30353, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van den Akker
authors.forename: Gift
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radge
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mateyu
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mwagomba
authors.forename: Marielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bemelmans
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reid