DOI: 10.7910/dvn/sckfc9
title: Alive & Thrive Vietnam Birthing Experience Survey

description: The Birthing Experience Survey, facilitated by the Alive & Thrive initiative, plays a crucial role in the external monitoring system designed to uphold and enhance the quality of care in partnering hospitals across Vietnam. This survey specifically supports the Centers of Excellence for Breastfeeding (COE) by collecting detailed feedback from mothers post-discharge. It is instrumental in evaluating hospital adherence to established COE criteria which are vital for promoting early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their newborns.

Mothers participate in the survey through telephone consultations, where they have the opportunity to voice their experiences—both concerns and positive feedback. This direct input is critical for continuous improvement and helps hospitals not only assess their own performance but also compare it with peer institutions. The survey also leverages social media platforms to enhance transparency and educate women about their rights to quality care, thus fostering a community-driven push for higher standards in maternal and newborn healthcare.

Purpose, Nature, and Scope: 
This survey was conducted to assess post-discharge breastfeeding practices and newborn care among mothers in Vietnam. The aim is to identify areas for improvement in hospital practices related to newborn care and maternal support. 
 
Study Objectives and/or Research Questions: 
To evaluate the effectiveness of current hospital breastfeeding and newborn care practices and to determine the impact of these practices on the long-term health and well-being of mothers and their infants.
description: Study Design: The survey was carried out using a structured questionnaire, administered via phone calls to mothers who were recently discharged from hospitals across Vietnam. The questionnaire focused on breastfeeding practices, newborn care, and maternal experiences during the hospital stay. // 

Sample and sampling procedures: 
The survey encompasses mothers recently discharged from both hospitals recognized as Centers of Excellence for Breastfeeding and those not yet recognized across Vietnam. For central/provincial hospitals, the sample size per quarter is 100 successful surveys for non-recognized hospitals (50 vaginal deliveries, 50 C-sections) and 20 successful surveys for recognized hospitals (10 vaginal, 10 C-sections). District hospitals require 50s successful surveys for non-recognized (25 vaginal, 25 C-section) and 20 for recognized hospitals. This stratification ensures diverse representation from various healthcare settings. // 

Survey participants were randomly selected from updated lists of phone numbers, divided by type of delivery. The surveys, conducted via phone within the first month of each quarter, include checks for number validity and procedural adherence to ensure the mothers' comfort and willingness to participate. Additionally, the Ministry of Health's Department of Health performs quality checks by randomly resurveying 5% of the participants from each hospital, reinforcing the reliability and consistency of the survey data. // 

Weighting: 
No weighting was applied as the data represents a straightforward aggregation of survey responses without sampling biases requiring adjustment.
description: Kobo Toolbox, null
description: Python, null
description: Facility surveys