Education Education An approach to some basic Indicators for ...

92 Catalog of Indicators Health Priority: Yes Indicator developed: Yes Local/International: Local and internationalKind of indicator: Impact Data source/s: Household surveys, Facility reporting systemChallenges: The indicator is a measure of a health system’s ability to provide adequate care during birth, a period of elevated mortality and morbidity risk for both mother and newborn. However, this indicator may not adequately capture women’s access to good quality care, particularly when complications arise. In order to effectively reduce maternal deaths, skilled health personnel should have the necessary equipment and adequate referral options. Standardization of the definition of skilled health personnel is sometimes difficult because of differences in training of health personnel in different countries. Although efforts have been made to standardize the definitions of doctors, nurses, midwives and auxiliary midwives used in most household surveys, it is probable that many skilled attendants’ ability to provide appropriate care in an emergency depends on the environment in which they work. Recall error is another potential source of bias in the data. In household surveys, the respondent is asked about each live birth for a period up to five years before the interview. The respondent may or may [2] Linked to policy: Other comments: [2] The indicator is a measure of a health system’s ability to provide adequate care for pregnant women. Concerns have been expressed that the term skilled attendant may not adequately capture women’s access to good quality care, particularly when complications arise.In addition, standardization of the definition of skilled health personnel is sometimes difficult because of differences in training of health personnel in different countries. Although efforts have been made to standardize the definitions of doctors, nurses, midwives and auxiliary midwives used in most household surveys, it is probable that many skilled attendants’ ability to provide appropriate care in an emergency depends on the environment in which they work.