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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Debate

Geographic information system for improving maternal and newborn health: recommendations for policy and programs

Authors: Yordanos B. Molla, Barbara Rawlins, Prestige Tatenda Makanga, Marc Cunningham, Juan Eugenio Hernández Ávila, Corrine Warren Ruktanonchai, Kavita Singh, Sylvia Alford, Mira Thompson, Vikas Dwivedi, Allisyn C. Moran, Zoe Matthews

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

This correspondence argues and offers recommendations for how Geographic Information System (GIS) applied to maternal and newborn health data could potentially be used as part of the broader efforts for ending preventable maternal and newborn mortality. These recommendations were generated from a technical consultation on reporting and mapping maternal deaths that was held in Washington, DC from January 12 to 13, 2015 and hosted by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) global Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP). Approximately 72 participants from over 25 global health organizations, government agencies, donors, universities, and other groups participated in the meeting.
The meeting placed emphases on how improved use of mapping could contribute to the post-2015 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agenda in general and to contribute to better maternal and neonatal health outcomes in particular. Researchers and policy makers have been calling for more equitable improvement in Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), specifically addressing hard-to-reach populations at sub-national levels. Data visualization using mapping and geospatial analyses play a significant role in addressing the emerging need for improved spatial investigation at subnational scale. This correspondence identifies key challenges and recommendations so GIS may be better applied to maternal health programs in resource poor settings. The challenges and recommendations are broadly grouped into three categories: ancillary geospatial and MNH data sources, technical and human resources needs and community participation.
Footnotes
1
List of organization that participated in the technical meeting: African Union Commission
AMDD, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Data Act Lab AB, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, FHI 360, Independent, INDEPTH Network, Jhpiego, LSHTM, MCSP (partners from JSI, JHPIEGO, ICF), UNC Chapel Hill, MHTF, NICHD, NIH, Population Council, Simon Fraser University, The Demographic and Health Surveys Program, UNFPA, UNICEF, University of Aberdeen, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada, University of Southampton, University Research Co. LLC/USAID ASSIST Project, USAID/USAID GeoCenter, WHO/PAHO.
 
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Metadata
Title
Geographic information system for improving maternal and newborn health: recommendations for policy and programs
Authors
Yordanos B. Molla
Barbara Rawlins
Prestige Tatenda Makanga
Marc Cunningham
Juan Eugenio Hernández Ávila
Corrine Warren Ruktanonchai
Kavita Singh
Sylvia Alford
Mira Thompson
Vikas Dwivedi
Allisyn C. Moran
Zoe Matthews
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-1199-y

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