Impact of A Maternal and Newborn Health Results Based Financing Intervention (RBF4MNH) On Stillbirth: A Cross-Sectional Comparison in Four Districts in Malawi.
Abstract Background: A Results Based Financing (RBF) model for Maternal and Newborn Health, “RBF4MNH” was implemented by the Government of Malawi in four Districts, with the aim of improving health outcomes. We used this setting to examine the impact of this model on antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth, taking women’s risk factors into account. Methods: We used maternity unit delivery registers at hospitals in four districts of Malawi to obtain information about stillbirths. The result based finance for maternal and newborn health intervention was ongoing in two districts and two non-intervention districts were used for comparison. Data were extracted from the maternity registers and analyzed using STATA version 14. Logistic regression models were developed to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios for fresh and macerated stillbirth. Results: In the study period there were 67 stillbirths among 2,772 deliveries representing 24.1 per 1,000 live births of which 52% (n=35) were fresh (intrapartum) stillbirths and 48% (n=32) were macerated (antepartum) losses. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for fresh and macerated stillbirth at RBF versus non-RBF sites were 2.67 (95%CI 1.24 to 5.57, P=0.01) and 7.27 (95%CI 2.74 to 19.25 P<0.001) respectively.Gestational age at delivery was significantly associated with stillbirths. Conclusion: The study did not identify a positive impact of result based finance for maternal and newborn health on the reduction of both fresh and macerated stillbirths. There is a need for rigorously designed and tested interventions to strengthen service delivery with a focus on the elements needed to ensure quality of intrapartum care.