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Measuring Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in Developing Countries Using Demographic and Health Surveys

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  • Zoe Dettrick
  • Hebe N Gouda
  • Andrew Hodge
  • Eliana Jimenez-Soto

Abstract

Background: One of the greatest obstacles facing efforts to address quality of care in low and middle income countries is the absence of relevant and reliable data. This article proposes a methodology for creating a single “Quality Index” (QI) representing quality of maternal and neonatal health care based upon data collected as part of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program. Methods: Using the 2012 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey dataset, indicators of quality of care were identified based on the recommended guidelines outlined in the WHO Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth. Two sets of indicators were created; one set only including indicators available in the standard DHS questionnaire and the other including all indicators identified in the Indonesian dataset. For each indicator set composite indices were created using Principal Components Analysis and a modified form of Equal Weighting. These indices were tested for internal coherence and robustness, as well as their comparability with each other. Finally a single QI was chosen to explore the variation in index scores across a number of known equity markers in Indonesia including wealth, urban rural status and geographical region. Results: The process of creating quality indexes from standard DHS data was proven to be feasible, and initial results from Indonesia indicate particular disparities in the quality of care received by the poor as well as those living in outlying regions. Conclusions: The QI represents an important step forward in efforts to understand, measure and improve quality of MNCH care in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Zoe Dettrick & Hebe N Gouda & Andrew Hodge & Eliana Jimenez-Soto, 2016. "Measuring Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in Developing Countries Using Demographic and Health Surveys," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0157110
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mamothena Carol Mothupi & Jeroen De Man & Hanani Tabana & Lucia Knight, 2021. "Development and testing of a composite index to monitor the continuum of maternal health service delivery at provincial and district level in South Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Haftom Gebrehiwot Weldearegay & Alemayehu Bayray Kahsay & Araya Abrha Medhanyie & Hagos Godefay & Pammla Petrucka, 2020. "Quality of and barriers to routine childbirth care signal functions in primary level facilities of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Mixed method study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, June.

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