Bulletin of the World Health Organization ()

Methodological considerations in implementing the WHO Global Survey for Monitoring Maternal and Perinatal Health

  • Archana Shah,
  • Anibal Faundes,
  • M'Imunya Machoki,
  • Vicente Bataglia,
  • Faouzi Amokrane,
  • Allan Donner,
  • Kidza Mugerwa,
  • Guillermo Carroli,
  • Bukola Fawole,
  • Ana Langer,
  • Jean José Wolomby,
  • Alberto Naravaez,
  • Idi Nafiou,
  • Marius Kublickas,
  • Eliette Valladares,
  • Alejandro Velasco,
  • Nelly Zavaleta,
  • Isilda Neves,
  • José Villar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862008000200014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 86, no. 2
pp. 126 – 131

Abstract

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OBJECTIVE: To set up a global system for monitoring maternal and perinatal health in 54 countries worldwide. METHODS: The WHO Global Survey for Monitoring Maternal and Perinatal Health was implemented through a network of health institutions, selected using a stratified multistage cluster sampling design. Focused information on maternal and perinatal health was abstracted from hospital records and entered in a specially developed online data management system. Data were collected over a two- to three-month period in each institution. The project was coordinated by WHO and supported by WHO regional offices and country coordinators in Africa and the Americas. FINDINGS: The initial survey was implemented between September 2004 and March 2005 in the African and American regions. A total of 131 institutions in seven African countries and 119 institutions in eight Latin American countries participated. CONCLUSION: This project has created a technologically simple and scientifically sound system for large-scale data management, which can facilitate programme monitoring in countries.