| Topic 1: Post-delivery maternal and newborn care practices |
| 1.1 Bathing of mother and baby after delivery |
To learn when mothers bathe and restrictions that may apply until she does so fully and practices of when newborns are bathed and cleaned |
At what point after delivery does the mother first bathe? Is there any earlier partial bathing of the mother before a full bath? Are there restrictions on what the mother can do until her first bath? (e.g. can breastfeeding commence before the mother bathes?) At what point after delivery is the newborn first given a bath? If bathing is usually done soon after delivery, is it possible to delay the baby's bath? Is when the baby is first bathed affected by the season in which he or she is born (e.g. winter compared to summer)? |
| 1.2 Forty days of seclusion for new mothers |
To explore the seclusion of mothers during the period of 40 days after delivery, the nature and length of the seclusion and the contact new mothers may have with family and others during this period |
Are new mothers in seclusion after delivery? If so, for how long? What is the purpose of this seclusion? What may the new mother do or not do during this period of seclusion? (e.g. cook, work in the garden or fields, tend to the house, look after other children) Who insists that women should stay at home for 40 days after delivery (without visiting a health worker even in case of emergencies)? During this period of seclusion are there particular restrictions on the women, such as diet, washing, contact with family or other women? -
Whom may the mother see during this period of seclusion?
Does the new mother see her husband during this period of seclusion? If not, why not? Does she visit with other family members in the same compound? In the same village? Only female or male and female? Does the period of seclusion cause any problems for new mothers?
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| 1.3. Diet of the mother during the post-partum period |
To understand any beliefs about diet and dietary restrictions for post-partum mothers and its impact on maternal health and well-being |
What kinds of foods are given to the mother to eat after delivery? What is a normal diet for a mother after giving birth? Are there any types of foods that are not allowed for the mother after giving birth? For what reason are mothers discouraged from consuming these foods? Is the post-partum diet different than what her normal diet would be when she is not pregnant or a later period after the birth? If so, how? |
| Topic 2: Care-seeking practices and barriers to access of health services |
| 2.1 Care-seeking for maternal and newborn problems |
To understand the health seeking behaviour of the community members including when and what type of care is sought for mothers and newborns when there is an emergency or significant health problem |
In case of an emergency for a mother or her baby after delivery, what is the first source of care that a family is likely to seek first? Does the family seek out care or remedies in the village first? How often do families use self-medication or known medicinal remedies instead of taking the mother or newborns to a provider or health facility? What kinds of self-medication are used and for what conditions are they used? Are traditional healers or religious persons consulted before seeking care at a health facility? When they are sought out, what type of care or advice do they offer? When will families seek out a skilled health provider, such as a doctor, midwife, nurse or CHW for a health problem of the mother or newborn? If a family does not seek immediate care from a skilled health provider or clinic for a mother or newborn in need, what is the reason? Is going to a doctor or a clinic ever considered shameful? |
| 2.2 Barriers to access |
To ascertain the factors that keep families from seeking care when mothers or newborns have an emergency or a significant health problem |
If you do not use the nearest health facility when the mother or newborn has an emergency, what are your reasons for not going there? If a husband or male relative is not available to accompany a mother to a clinic, are there others in the community who would take her? Is the cost of care from a doctor or clinic ever cause anyone from the village to not seek care, even for an emergency condition? How does cost of care at a clinic or health provider compare to the cost of consulting a mullah or traditional healer in the village? |
| 2.3 Distance and transport barriers |
To understand the distance and transport problems that may prevents mothers and newborns from seeking care when there is an emergency or significant health problem |
How far is the nearest clinic or hospital located from your village? Do people in the community utilise these health facilities? If not, why not? How do people from your village get to these facilities or providers in case of an emergency? Are there any seasonal factors that determine if you can go to a health facility or not? |
| Topic 3: Family and community support for new mothers |
| 3.1 Post-partum depression of new mothers |
To understand how widespread postpartum depression is in rural communities and its manifestations |
What is the usual outlook or disposition of mothers after they have given birth? Do any new mothers ‘feel sad’ after giving birth? If so, how many of the new mothers feel this way? What are some of the ways you know a post-partum mother is ‘feeling sad’? What causes post-partum mothers to ‘feel sad’? Which kind of remedies might be used for a mother who ‘feels sad’? Who is advising them in this? Does the husband or family help a mother feeling sad after delivery or are they part of the problem? If so, how? How does a sad post-partum mother care for her baby? Are there any problems, such as stopping breastfeeding if she is sad? |
| 3.2 Community health workers (CHWs) |
To understand the role of CHWs and services provided by them for improving the health of new mothers and newborns in their community |
Does your community have a CHW? If so, what is his/her role in the community? What activities does the CHW undertake related to maternal and newborn health and care during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum? Are the CHWs able to help if new mothers are feeling sad (post-partum depression)? If so, how? |
| 3.3 Family health action group or community health committees (shuras) |
To understand the role of family health action group or community health committees in improving the health of new mothers and newborns and community perceptions about their effectiveness |
Does your community have a family health action group or community health shura? If so, what is its role in the community? What activities do the family health action group or community health shura carry out? Are there activities of these groups that are specifically aimed at improving the health or care of mothers and their newborn? How effective is the family health action group or community health shura? Do these group's members help new mothers if they are feeling sad (post-partum depression)? If so, how? |
| 3.4 Influential community members |
To understand who the influential members of the community are and their role, if any, in improving the health of new mothers and newborns in the community |
Who are the influential members of the community – those that can influence attitudes, opinions, beliefs and behaviours? Are these influential members concerned about or involved in the community with regard to improving the health of new mothers and newborns in the community? If so, how? Can these influential community members change attitudes or behaviours concerning community practices dealing with pregnant women, new mothers or newborns? Do the community's influential members help new mothers if they are feeling sad (post-partum depression)? If so, how? |
