COURTAGE DE CONNAISSANCES AU BURKINA FASO

Abstract

Background: Delay in decision-making to use skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth is an important factor
for maternal death in many developing countries. This paper examines how decisions for maternal care are made
in two rural communities in Burkina Faso.

Methods: Focus group discussions (FGDs) and individual interviews (IDIs)) were used to collect information with 30
women in Ouargaye and Diapaga medical districts. All interviews were tape recorded and analyzed using QSR
Nvivo 2.0.

Results: Decision-making for use of obstetric care in the family follows the logic of the family’s management.
Husbands, brothers-in-law and parents-in-law make the decision about whether to use a health facility for antenatal
care or for delivery. In general, decision-makers are those who can pay, including the woman herself. Payment of
care is the responsibility of men, according to women interviewed, because of their social role and status.

Conclusions: To increase use of health facilities in Ouargaye and Diapaga, the empowerment of women could be
helpful as well as exemption of fees or cost sharing for care.
Keywords: Decision-making process, Maternal care, Rural medical district, Burkina Faso

  Decision-making-process_DTS.pdf