Table 2.

Overview qualitative data collection: participant groups and focus of interviews and focus groups

	Detail	Focus
Interviews
Women	Given birth in the last six months	To understand women’s ‘journey of care’ Interaction with the MSS and other care services throughout pregnancy and childbirth Views and experiences relating to accessibility and quality Subsequent care seeking.
Policymakers	Policy makers at State and local levels	Perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation, focusing on areas of single and shared responsibility; Sustainability of the MSS; Experiences and understanding of how the MSS will lead to improved outcomes and its success in doing this.
Midwives	MSS midwives deployed to PHCs	Barriers and facilitators to implementation as perceived by midwives; How midwives are able to contribute to improvements in maternal health, particularly through improved accessibility, quality of care and information spillover.
Focus groups
WDC	Key community members (includes village elders and ward leaders)	Awareness and knowledge of the MSS; Perceptions and experience of the programme including community outreach; Factors influencing maternal, newborn and child health care seeking.
Men	Married men with and without children
Women	Women with and without children