Table 1 Vignettes to assess explicit bias

Scenario 1: Woman with markers of low SES: A 30-year-old poor farmer from one of the villages in the county is admitted to the ward. She dropped out of school in primary two and cannot read or write. She is not covered by insurance and attended ANC only once. She looks very unkempt and did not bring anything with her to be used for the delivery. She presented in labor with her mother-in-law and is complaining of severe abdominal pain. Thinking about this patient: How strongly do you agree/disagree with these statements?

Scenario 2: Woman with markers of high SES: A 30-year-old woman who is the wife of a doctor in the hospital is admitted to your ward. She also works at the local bank and is covered by private health insurance. She received ANC 6 times during her pregnancy. She is very well dressed and has come with all the required items for her labor. She presented in labor with her mother-in-law and is complaining of severe abdominal pain. Thinking about this patient: How strongly do you agree/disagree with these statements?

Statements

 1. She is not likely to expect providers to introduce themselves to her

 2. She is not likely to understand any explanations

 3. Since she has come to the facility, it means she has consented to all examinations and treatments

 4. She is likely exaggerating her pain

 5. She will not need a companion to stay with her

 6. The provider needs to be stern for her to understand the seriousness of the situation

 7. She is likely going to be uncooperative when it is time to push and need to be physically restrained

 8. She is likely to sue you if something goes wrong

 9. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents lack of connection or warm feelings towards the patient and 10 represents strong connection or strong feelings of warmth towards the patient how connected or warm are you likely to feel towards this patient?

 10. To what extent do think you will want to be a provider for patients like her?