QUALI-DEC

This App is for pregnant women taking part in the QUALI-DEC study, in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It aims to help pregnant women make informed decisions about childbirth options, and to understand the risks and benefits of each mode of birth. Using this app, women can clarify and summarize their personal values and preferences and define what aspects of birth are important to them. It aims to support routine counseling and conversations with healthcare providers.

About QUALI-DEC: This research project has been created to improve decision-making in childbirth by women and healthcare professionals. It provides pregnant women, their relatives, and the healthcare professionals who support them, with non-clinical tools to guide decisions before or during labour. It aims to reduce the practice of non-medically justified caesarean sections and to encourage natural childbirth.

Based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientific studies, the QUALI-DEC strategy consists of four components aimed at reducing non-medically justified caesarean sections.

• The use of opinion leaders to encourage evidence-based clinical practice.
• Review of caesarean section indications by the caregivers themselves with feedback to the whole team (audit & feedback) to avoid unnecessary interventions.
• Support by a relative to reassure the woman during labour.
• A decision support tool to encourage dialogue between caregivers and women during pregnancy monitoring.

Maternity hospitals in four countries are implementing the QUALI-DEC strategy: Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Viet Nam.