Faith-based provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare in Malawi. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tafesse, Wiktoria; Chalkley, Martin
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 282(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Healthcare -- Ownership -- Sexual and reproductive health -- Faith-based providers -- Least developed country; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: Faith-based organisations constitute the second largest healthcare providers in Sub-Saharan Africa but their religious values might be in conflict with providing some sexual and reproductive health services. We undertake regression analysis on data detailing client-provider interactions from a facility census in Malawi and examine whether religious ownership of facilities is associated with the degree of adherence to family planning guidelines. We find that faith-based organisations offer fewer services related to the investigation and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the promotion of condom use. The estimates are robust to several sensitivity checks on the impact of client selection. Given the prevalence of faith-based facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, our results suggest that populations across the region may be at risk from inadequate sexual and reproductive healthcare provision which could exacerbate the incidence of STIs, such as HIV/AIDS, and unplanned pregnancies. Highlights: Investigates whether faith-based facilities provide fewer sexual health services. Uses data on client-provider interactions from a facility-level census from Malawi. Faith-based providers are less likely to investigate STIs and promote condoms. Results are robust to matching and are not driven by client selection.