Taryn Vian co-authored a publication titled “A cost description of the setup costs of community-owned maternity waiting homes in rural Zambia,” published in PLOS Global Health. The study was conducted with lead author Allison Juntunen and other members of the Maternity Homes Access in Zambia (“MAHMAZ”) Project.
Maternity waiting homes provide lodging for pregnant women as they seek skilled obstetric care the intrapartum period. The study documents the costs associated with setup of 10 maternity waiting homes, including infrastructure, furnishings, stakeholder engagement, and activities to strengthen the capacity of local communities to govern the new facilities. A growing body of literature suggests that maternity waiting homes are an effective way to improve access to skilled obstetric care. The study’s findings can serve as a planning resource for governments or organizations considering implementing maternity waiting homes as part of a broader maternal health strategy, offering practical guidance on the initial investment costs needed to set up the homes as well as the costs per outcome.
