Applying Behavioral Economics to Improve Women’s Experience with Maternal Care in Zambia

In Zambia, Breakthrough RESEARCH, through a study led by ideas42, is working to unpack and address the behavioral challenges that prevent providers from adhering to best practices during facility-based deliveries. After a scoping visit in Zambia and literature review of more than 20 related provider behaviors, the research team chose providers’ behavior during delivery—specifically, respectful maternal care—as a focus of study because of its potential for generating knowledge and having an impact on maternal health care.

ideas42 partnered with the USAID-funded Safe Motherhood 360+ project to conduct in-depth qualitative research with midwives, postpartum women, and other stakeholders to identify the behavioral drivers of disrespectful care. Using these insights, ideas42 and SM360+ worked with providers and patients to design solutions based in behavioral economics that can improve the experience of delivery care for the women of Zambia’s Eastern Province.

Learn More

Programmatic research brief: Enhancing Respectful Care During Labor and Delivery [English | French]

Programmatic research brief: Piloting Respectful Maternity Care Solutions: research findings from a study in Zambia [English | French]

Programmatic research brief: Provider Provision of Respectful Maternity Care: findings from a small-scale evaluation in Chipata, Zambia [English | French]

Journal article: Barriers to Provision of Respectful Maternity Care in Zambia: results from a qualitative study through the lens of behavioral science [Go to BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth website]

Webinar: Promoting Respectful Maternity Care in Zambia: Findings from a pilot in Chipata, Zambia [Webinar | Slides]

Blog: Harnessing Behavioral Design to Improve Maternal Care in Zambia