Baseline and follow-up data on participants in the PROFIT revolving loan fund for midwives (Indonesia)

This report summarizes the findings from baseline and follow-up surveys of loan recipients conducted by PROFIT to assess the effectiveness of the Fund. The research revealed that most borrowers obtained loans in order to improve the range and quality of services rather than to increase their number of clients. This was reflected in the fact that overall client volumes did not increase significantly as a result of the loans, although there was a slight increase in number of continuing users. The majority of loan recipients obtained the loans with collateral of no cash value (e.g., license to practice, letter of appointment), which meant a minimization in financial burden on the loan recipients. Many of the borrowers were members of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), perhaps because IBI members, typically experienced midwives, were most comfortable applying for loans or because IBI boards chose to recommend experienced midwives for loan approval. Fewer village midwives received loans than was expected, again, perhaps because IBI board members were less familiar with this group of midwives and therefore less likely to recommend them, or because the midwives were not affiliated with a support network, or because applying for loans was logistically difficult for this group. Finally, village midwives had lower client volumes compared with other midwives, perhaps because they had been practicing for a shorter interval; the surveys uncovered one group of village midwives who had been in practice for a length of time comparable with that of other midwives and reported similar client volumes. (Author abstract, modified)