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Data collection tools for maternal and child health in humanitarian emergencies: a systematic review

Pyone, Thidar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1064-4355, Dickinson, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5298-9127, Kerr, Robert, Boschi-Pinto, Cynthia, Mathai, Matthews and van den Broek, Nynke ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8523-2684 (2015) 'Data collection tools for maternal and child health in humanitarian emergencies: a systematic review'. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol 93, Issue 9, 648-658A.

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Abstract

Objective
To describe tools used for the assessment of maternal and child health issues in humanitarian emergency settings.

Methods
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge and POPLINE databases for studies published between January 2000 and June 2014. We also searched the websites of organizations active in humanitarian emergencies. We included studies reporting the development or use of data collection tools concerning the health of women and children in humanitarian emergencies. We used narrative synthesis to summarize the studies.

Findings
We identified 100 studies: 80 reported on conflict situations and 20 followed natural disasters. Most studies (76/100) focused on the health status of the affected population while 24 focused on the availability and coverage of health services. Of 17 different data collection tools identified, 14 focused on sexual and reproductive health, nine concerned maternal, newborn and child health and four were used to collect information on sexual or gender-based violence. Sixty-nine studies were done for monitoring and evaluation purposes, 18 for advocacy, seven for operational research and six for needs assessment.

Conclusion
Practical and effective means of data collection are needed to inform life-saving actions in humanitarian emergencies. There are a wide variety of tools available, not all of which have been used in the field. A simplified, standardized tool should be developed for assessment of health issues in the early stages of humanitarian emergencies. A cluster approach is recommended, in partnership with operational researchers and humanitarian agencies, coordinated by the World Health Organization.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: WA Public Health > Accident and Injury Prevention. Disasters > WA 295 Disasters. Disaster medicine. Rescue work. Terrorism
WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 310 Maternal welfare
WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 320 Child Welfare. Child Health Services.
WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 525 General works
Faculty: Department: Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.14.148429
Depositing User: Jessica Jones
Date Deposited: 25 Feb 2016 16:01
Last Modified: 22 Jun 2018 10:39
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5697

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