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Table 6 Community perceptions, practices and barriers to reporting birthweight for stillbirths

From: Stillbirth outcome capture and classification in population-based surveys: EN-INDEPTH study

Theme

Sub-theme

Site(s)

Potential implications for measurement in population-based surveys

Value of measuring birthweight

Lack of perceived value of weighing a stillborn baby

All

This was a very dominant perception, reported by the majority of respondents. Women with such views may be less likely to demand weighing of their babies at birth

Weighing a stillborn baby may help understand why the baby died and prevent recurrence

Kintampo, IgangaMayuge

Expressed in a minority of sites, but these positive deviants may give some insights into why birthweight for stillbirths may be valued by women

Communication

Separation of mother and baby after birth (sick or stillborn babies, sick mothers)

Bandim

Clearly communicating birthweights to mothers, e.g. verbally and recording in health cards would be necessary to overcome this barrier

Perception of stillbirths

Stillborn babies adversely impact on hospital’s reputation

Matlab

Women perceived that healthcare workers neglected stillborn babies as they were concerned that this would impact on the hospital’s reputation, thus not providing care including weighing of the baby