Willingness to Pay for a Maternity Waiting Home Stay in Zambia.
Taryn Vian, Emily E White, Godfrey Biemba and 2 others
PMID 28419708WHAT IT FOUND
Most rural Zambians surveyed were willing to pay a small fee for a maternity waiting home stay, with a median maximum of 5 kwacha per night.
Women were willing to pay more than men or elders. Most preferred a flat fee per stay over daily charges.
Key findings
01The median maximum willingness to pay per night was 5.0 kwacha ($0.92 USD) for those willing to pay anything.
02A suggested donation of 2 kwacha per night would exclude 14.4% of potential users, while 5 kwacha would exclude 31.7%.
0365% of respondents preferred paying a flat total amount per stay rather than a fee per night.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study measured hypothetical willingness to pay, not actual payment behavior, so it is unknown if these stated preferences translate to real contributions. Participants were asked about a hypothetical 'improved' shelter, which may have inflated willingness to pay compared to current conditions. The survey included men and elders, not just pregnant women, which may reflect household decision-making dynamics but dilutes the direct patient perspective. The study was conducted in two specific districts in Southern Province, Zambia, so findings may not generalize to other regions or cultures.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the willingness to pay as evidence that charging fees is safe for patient access. The study found that even a low fee of 2 kwacha per night would exclude 14.4% of users, and qualitative data suggested that those who cannot afford the fee might revert to giving birth at home without skilled care.