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The costs of ‘free’: Experiences of facility-based childbirth after Benin's caesarean section exemption policy

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  • Lange, Isabelle L.
  • Kanhonou, Lydie
  • Goufodji, Sourou
  • Ronsmans, Carine
  • Filippi, Véronique

Abstract

As one of many similar policies in the region, in 2009 Benin launched a free c-section policy in publicly funded hospitals intended to decrease the barriers to facility delivery and the heavy financial burdens on women and their families. We conducted a qualitative study for eight months between 2012 and 2014 to understand women's experiences of care in maternity wards. We carried out semi-structured interviews with 30 women who had delivered via c-section at five hospitals. Two of these hospitals became case study sites where in-depth research was undertaken that consisted of participant observation in each maternity ward and 32 further interviews with women who had complicated, vaginal and c-section deliveries.

Suggested Citation

  • Lange, Isabelle L. & Kanhonou, Lydie & Goufodji, Sourou & Ronsmans, Carine & Filippi, Véronique, 2016. "The costs of ‘free’: Experiences of facility-based childbirth after Benin's caesarean section exemption policy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 53-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:168:y:2016:i:c:p:53-62
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.008
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    Cited by:

    1. Samb, Oumar Mallé & Ridde, Valery, 2018. "The impact of free healthcare on women's capability: A qualitative study in rural Burkina Faso," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 9-16.
    2. Jaffré, Yannick & Lange, Isabelle L., 2021. "Being a midwife in West Africa: Between sensory experiences, moral standards, socio-technical violence and affective constraints," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    3. Pourette, Dolorès & Pierlovisi, Carole & Randriantsara, Ranjatiana & Rakotomanana, Elliot & Mattern, Chiarella, 2018. "Avoiding a "big" baby: Local perceptions and social responses toward childbirth-related complications in Menabe, Madagascar," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 52-61.

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