Women's social networks and birth attendant decisions: Application of the Network-Episode Model

▸ The Network-Episode Model was applied to examine associations of social networks with the use of skilled birth attendants in Bangladesh. ▸ The perceived advice of network members adds significantly to the explanation of variation in service use. ▸ Testing aggregate network variables extends the ability of the individual profile matrix to explain outcomes. ▸ Interventions, to increase demand for skilled birth attendants, need to reflect the centrality of kinship networks on women.