Table 4 Qualitative data collection methods

Self-administered questionnaire

1. Staff training and evaluation at the Birthing Centers

2. Staff roles during births at the Birthing Centers

3. Decision to resolve or refer complications

4. Perceived reasons for a family to refuse a referral to a higher-level health facility

5. Differences between partner and non-partner communities

6. Vision as to how Birthing Centers will change going forward, and recommendations

Supervisory nurses:

All Birthing Centers (3)

Auxiliary nurses:

Birthing Center in Santo Domingo (1)

Birthing Center in Calhuitz (1)

Birthing Center in Tuzlaj (1)

Support women:

Birthing Center in Santo Domingo (2)

Birthing Center in Tuzlaj (2)

Birthing Center in Calhuitz (2)

Submitted electronically between November 13 & 17, 2016

Completed at Birthing Centers in Calhuitz, Tuzlaj, and Santo Domingo

Focus group discussion

1. Decision to resolve or refer complications

2. The effect of refused referrals and how they can be prevented or avoided

3. Differences in patterns of complications between women who come to the Birthing Centers from partner communities versus those from non-partner communities

4. Relationship between Birthing Centers and the MSPAS

5. Vision as to how Birthing Centers will change going forward, and recommendations

Supervisory nurses:

All Birthing Centers (3)

Auxiliary nurse:

Birthing Center in Santo Domingo (1)

Support women:

Birthing Center in Tuzlaj (1) and Calhuitz (1)

December 12, 2016. Birthing Center headquarters in Calhuitz with Curamericas Global staff (BM) facilitating via Skype video from Raleigh, NC, USA

Key informant interview

1. Decision to resolve or refer complications

2. The effect of refused referrals and how they can be prevented or avoided

3. Differences in patterns of complications between women who come to the Birthing Centers from partner communities versus those from non-partner communities

4. Relationship between Birthing Centers and the MSPAS

5. Vision as to how Birthing Centers will change going forward, and recommendations

Project Director

December 20, 2016. Birthing Center headquarters in Calhuitz with Curamericas Global staff (BM) facilitating via Skype video from Raleigh, NC, USA