Experiences of community verbal autopsy in maternal and newborn health in Bangladesh

Introduction: Verbal autopsy in maternal and neonatal deaths is commonly used in developing countries to understand the medical and social causes of death in the community. Bangladesh first undertook a community verbal autopsy program in 2010. This was implemented under the maternal and neonatal death review (MNDR) system. Objectives: To know the process of implementation of community verbal autopsy, its acceptability and effect in maternal and neonatal health, Bangladesh. Methods: A qualitative study was performed In two districts of Bangladesh in 2011. A review of documents, observations, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with health care providers from different systems. Data were analysed using a thematic approach Results: Community verbal autopsy was developed in Bangladesh using…