The effect of performance-based financing interventions on out-of-pocket expenses intended to improve access to and utilization of maternal health services in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Out-of-pocket expenses have been reported as a major barrier to accessing antenatal care and skilled birth delivery in most of sub-Saharan Africa. Performance-based financing (PBF) is one of several strategies introduced in lower- and middle-income countries to strengthen a weak health system. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of PBF interventions implemented with the objective of reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving access to and utilization of ANC and skilled birth delivery and family planning in sub-Saharan Africa. It will consider evidence across health sectors and identify gaps in the evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guideline. The systematic review will apply a three-step strategy to search five databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane.) and grey literature with the help of a librarian. Two independent reviewers will conduct screening to determine eligibility and critical appraisal of selected studies using the risk of bias criteria developed by the Cochrane EPOC Group and the New Castle Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The certainty of evidence for the outcomes will be assessed using “Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation” (GRADE) approach. This review will consider experimental and quasi-experimental study designs and observational studies. Studies published in English and French language(s) will be included. Studies published since the introduction of PBF in sub-Saharan Africa will be included. Data will be collected on each item that contributes to out-of-pocket expenses. This review will adopt the Multiple Dimensions of Access Framework to organize the findings. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will support evidence-informed data for the performance-based financing community and government by identifying, describing, and assessing the impact of performance-based financing interventions on out-of-pocket expenses in promoting access and utilization of ANC, skilled birth delivery, and family planning across health sectors. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This review has been registered with PROSPERO, Registration number CRD42020222893. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13643-022-01990-9.