e) Supply-side and demand- side constraints on use of health and nutrition services in Bhojpur district in Bihar in India
The use of community health and nutrition services can be hindered by a range of factors relating to supply (e.g. quality, volume, and cost of services) and demand (e.g. governance, education, distance, time, cultural and social barriers). The aim of this research is to better understand how to overcome obstacles to optimal use of health and nutrition services. With the collaboration between IFPRI and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), this study will analyse data collected by J-PAL from a survey conducted with frontline health and nutrition workers in Bhojpur district of Bihar, India. The analysis for the study, was completed in 2013, led by Katrina Kosec and Rasmi Avula, with Purnima Menon, and Suneetha Kadiyala of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Rohini Pande and Esther Duflo of J-PAL.
A paper reporting on this study measuring motivation of workers has been submitted to Global Health: Science and Practice journal (abstract published in FASEB journal). The study concluded that front-line workers’ education, proximity to area of service, and incentives affect service delivery outcomes, but household factors are also important. Recruiting more educated candidates as front-line workers, investing in incentives, and enhancing household contacts with nutrition centres through demand creation could improve service delivery outcomes.
