Experiences of community verbal autopsy in maternal and newborn health in Bangladesh

• Introduction: Verbal autopsy in maternal and neonatal deaths is commonly used in developing countries to understand the medical and social causes of death in the community. Bangladesh first undertook a community verbal autopsy program in 2010. This was implemented under the maternal and neonatal death review (MNDR) system.Objectives: To know the process of implementation of community verbal autopsy, its acceptability and effect in maternal and neonatal health, Bangladesh.Methods: A qualitative study was performed In two districts of Bangladesh in 2011. A review of documents, observations, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with health care providers from different systems. Data were analysed using a thematic approachResults: Community verbal autopsy was developed in Bangladesh using existing available tools and guidelines. First line field supervisors from health and family planning departments conducted verbal autopsies at the deceased’s home. It has been adopted within the government health system and is able to identify medical and social causes, including delays within the community that are the major contributing factors of maternal and neonatal deaths. Verbal autopsy findings are shared at the Upazila level (sub-district) and these influence the development and implementation of local action plans. Recall bias and hard to reach areas are still challenges to be overcome in the conduction of verbal autopsies.Conclusions: The use of community verbal autopsy to identify medical and social causes of maternal and neonatal deaths is possible in an encouraging country context. The Government health system can comfortably conduct autopsies within the community. The findings of autopsy can be an effective tool and can be used by the local health and family planning managers to take the initiative at local level to improve health status of the mother and newborn.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Verbal autopsy

maternal death

neonatal death

Bangladesh

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