Study title

Burkina Faso

Individual

(1) Multi-stage stratified (urban vs. rural) sampling was used to select a population-representative cohort of 839 child-bearing women. The sampling frame was from the 2006 census. Women aged 15-44 years were eligible to participate if they were between seven months gestation and three months postpartum at recruitment, regardless of whether the infant was live born or stillborn. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Each participant was interviewed up to three times: at baseline (seven months gestation to three months postpartum), three months post-baseline, and nine months post-baseline. The follow-up rate at the third survey round was 93%(2)Participants were purposively selected from within the PopDev cohort in order to achieve a sample of women with a balance of those living in urban and rural area, and a range of socio-professional occupations. Both socio-demographic characteristics (age, marital and reproductive status, level of education) and socio-economic activities were taking into account. Women were generally between seven months gestation and three months postpartum at recruitment. Their husband or partner was also invited to participate in the qualitative study, however in most cases he declined so we have relatively few transcripts from the men. Most women participated in two in-depth interviews, a baseline and a follow-up interview, typically with a gap of 2-3 months between dates. Interviews were unstructured and focused on the themes of the birth, women’s work, use of family planning, and her return to work in the postpartum period. Interviews were conducted in a local language of the woman’s choice (usually Dioula), recorded, and later transcribed and translated into French. In total, 56 interviews took place (48 with women, 8 with their husband or partner). 2 women were interviewed once, 20 women were interviewed twice, and 2 women were interviewed three times. Three focus group discussions took place to complement the in-depth interviews. Focus groups were stratified by male/female participants and urban/rural residence. The groups discussed women’s work-related activities, the respective tasks of men and women at home, and how men could be involved in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Interviews were also done with policy-makers and stakeholders to document the policy and legal context.