title: Performance-based incentive for improving quality of maternal health services in Bangladesh.
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.
authors.affiliation: The Population Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Ubaidur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rob
authors.affiliation: The Population Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad Masudul
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards