Table 1 Domains of interest and sample questions with probes for semi-structured interviews with Doctors, Midwives, Matrones, and Community Agents in Fenerive-Est District
From: An exploration of village-level uterotonic practices in Fenerive-Est, Madagascar
Domains | Grand-tour question | Care-seeking behaviors | Matrone Practices | Medicinal Plant Use | Interactions and relationship between formal and informal providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Questions | I'd like to start by asking for your opinion on the current state of reproductive health in this area. I do not know what reproductive health services are available in this area, like from doctors and matrones. Could you tell me about this? | In your opinion, what may influence people to seek reproductive health care from traditional village level providers or doctors or midwives at the CSB? | From what you know of the people of the village, for what reason do they come to a Matrone for reproductive health care and for what reason do they come to doctors or midwives for reproductive health care? | Can you tell me what you know about medicinal plants and how they are used in this region? | Is there something that you believe would improve reproductive health in your area? Is there a service that needs to be improved or anything that you suggest that would help women? |
I have heard about a plant found in this region that may have uterotonic properties. It may be used as a traditional medicine in the same way that a uterotonic would be used – administered to induce uterine contractions. Can you tell me about that? | Do you believe that it is possible for the formal and informal sectors to work together to improve the health of women? | ||||
Probes | Please describe clientele who seek your reproductive health services – age groups, social classes, marital status, etc. | How are the services received at the village-level and at the CSB the same or different? | Do they visit a matrone many times or just one time before going to the CSB? | Walk me through the process- step by step. What is done to gather and prepare the plant? Once the plant has been prepared, what is the first step for using it? Then what must happen? Please tell me the entire process from when the woman is given the plant until it is finished and the woman has recovered. | If a woman experiences complications like you mentioned, will she be able to reach the hospital? How does she get there? |
In your opinion, are these services enough to meet the needs of people in this area? | Can you tell me what factors would be influencing people to seek reproductive health services from a Matrone or traditional healer rather than at the CSB? | How does a matrone know if she can do it (assist the woman in delivery) or if she can't? | Can women afford the cost of care in the hospital? | ||
What is the difference between the care provided at the doctor/midwife versus the care provided by matrones? | What do people do here to promote reproductive health? | Do people seek matrones for other reproductive health services? | Do you think that the plants work as the traditional providers and women intend them to? | How do you think women are treated when they go to the hospital? | |
Can you tell me about the acceptability of family planning here? What methods do people use, if any? | Do all Matrones provide the same services? | Have you ever heard of women having problems during or after using this plant? What problems might she have? | Are there barriers to collaboration between the formal and informal health providers? | ||
If a woman becomes pregnant and she did not intend to, what can she do? | What benefits might there be to collaboration? |