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Table 1 Overview and definitions of outcome variables

From: Implementation of a performance-based financing scheme in Malawi and resulting externalities on the quality of care of non-incentivized services

Outcome variable

Analytical level

ANC quality aspects reflected

ANC Readiness (15 items)

Facility

Structural readiness, staff & equipment, medications & supplies, diagnostic tests

Screening First Visit Cases (31 items)

Case

Focused history (including obstetric, pregnancy, medical, and social history), focused exam (including vital sign assessment, physical check-up, diagnostic testing)

Screening Follow-up Cases (17 items)

Case

Focused history (including pregnancy and social history, review of ANC patient record for obstetric and social history), focused exam (including vital sign assessment, physical check-up)

Prevention First Visit Cases (11 items)

Case

Prescription or administration of drugs and supplies (including iron/folate supplements, correct IPTp administration in respect to trimester, tetanus vaccination, provision of insecticide-treated bed net)

Prevention Follow-up Cases (9 items)

Case

Prescription or administration of drugs (including iron/folate supplements, correct IPTp administration in respect to trimester, tetanus vaccination),

Information & Education (10 items)

Case

Counselling of patient (including explanation of clinical findings, discussion of health-seeking for danger signs, diet, birth & preparedness planning, postpartum contraception, breastfeeding, encourages question)

  1. ANC = antenatal care, IPTp = intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy