Reducing Bias Among Health Care Providers: Experimental Evidence from Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan

Abstract Bias among health care providers can lead to poor-quality care and poor health outcomes, and it can exacerbate disparities. We use a randomised controlled trial to evaluate an intervention to reduce family planning provider bias towards young women in 227 clinics in Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Pakistan. The intervention educated providers about bias towards young women, facilitated communication about bias with other providers and offered non-financial public awards to clinics with the least biased care. After twelve months, the intervention led to less biased attitudes and beliefs among providers and more comprehensive counselling. Clients also perceived better treatment at intervention clinics compared to control clinics. Despite reductions in reported bias, we find mixed evidence regarding changes in method dispensing.