Birthweight data completeness and quality in population-based surveys: EN-INDEPTH study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Low birthweight is a key indicator of maternal health and neonatal outcomes.
• Household surveys like DHS and MICS are vital for birthweight data, but data quality is a concern.
• Few studies have explored methods to improve birthweight data collection in surveys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze birthweight data quality in population-based surveys.
• To identify barriers and enablers to reporting birthweight in surveys.
• To propose strategies for improving birthweight data in household surveys.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of birthweight data from 14,411 livebirths in the EN-INDEPTH survey across five sites.
• Estimation of odds ratios for factors associated with weighing, reporting, and heaping of birthweight.
• Focus group discussions with women and interviewers to explore qualitative aspects of birthweight reporting.

Main Results:

• High heterogeneity in birthweight data quality was observed across sites.
• Home births and neonatal deaths were significantly less likely to be weighed or have reported birthweights.
• Maternal education positively influenced reporting of weighing and knowing birthweight; recalled weights were more 'heaped' than card-recorded weights.

Conclusions:

• Significant data gaps persist for birthweight information in household surveys, even for facility births.
• Improving the accuracy of birthweight recording and enhancing communication with women, e.g., via health cards, can improve data quality.
• Addressing barriers like lack of measurement and poor communication is essential for better survey data on birthweight.