Development and testing of a composite index to monitor the continuum of maternal health service delivery at provincial and district level in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The continuum of care is a recommended framework for comprehensive health service delivery for maternal health, and it integrates health system and social determinants of health. There is a current lack of knowledge on a measurement approach to monitor performance on the framework. In this study we aim to develop and test a composite index for assessing the maternal health continuum in a province in South Africa with the possibility of nationwide use.

Materials and methods

The composite index was computed as a geometric mean of four dimensions of adequacy of the continuum of care. Data was sourced from the district health information system, household surveys and the census. The index formula was tested for robustness when alternative inputs for indicators and s

SUBMITTER: Mothupi MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8148336 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature