Coverage indicator validation studies
Household surveys are a measurement method in which people are directly asked about their health and access to services and interventions. Survey data play an important role in program planning, evaluation, and research. Our work focuses on assessing the accuracy of priority reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health & nutrition (RMNCH&N) coverage indicators measured in household surveys. We use quantitative and qualitative methods to answer questions about the accuracy of survey-based indicators and to understand the factors that affect people’s responses to survey questions.
Effective coverage methods
Effective coverage (EC) adds measures of service readiness, quality of care, and/or heath outcomes to intervention coverage or service coverage measures. EC “cascades” have been proposed by several authors to identify bottlenecks between service delivery and effective coverage. However, the methods for estimating the elements of effective coverage cascades, and particularly input-adjusted coverage and process-adjusted coverage, are not well defined. Our work on EC has focused on developing evidence-based methods for conducting these analyses. We defined key methodological questions, implemented studies to answer them, and piloted the methods across 7 service areas to understand the issues and challenges in conducting EC research.
Research
This body of research is related to a larger project focused on improving evidence, estimates, and programming for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition. To learn more about IMPROVE’s work, visit the Johns Hopkins Institute of International Program website. The Improve Project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Contact
The Team
Fred Arnold, ICF International
Ann Blanc, Population Council
Harry Campbell, University of Edinburgh
Emily Carter, Johns Hopkins University
Thom Eisele, Tulane School of Public Health
Joanne Katz, Johns Hopkins University
Sunny Kim, International Food Policy Research Institute
Margaret Kosek, The University of Virginia
Tanya Marchant, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Melinda Munos, Johns Hopkins University
Jennifer Requejo, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
Ashley Sheffel, Johns Hopkins University
Cindy Stanton, Stanton-Hill Associates