Related Experiment Videos
Community based estimation of perinatal mortality through record linkage
1Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
Indian Pediatrics
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Record linkage between Health Workers (HW) and Anganwadi Workers (AWW) can provide accurate perinatal mortality rate estimates in rural Haryana. Anganwadi Worker data proved more reliable than Health Worker records.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Accurate estimation of perinatal mortality is crucial for maternal and child health interventions.
- Existing health record systems, particularly at the primary care level in rural settings, often face challenges with completeness and linkage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and accuracy of estimating perinatal mortality rates by linking records from Health Workers (HW) and Anganwadi Workers (AWW) in rural Haryana.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of HW and AWW records from 1991-92 was conducted in 45 villages in Ambala, Haryana.
- Home visits and enquiries were performed to verify incomplete records.
- Perinatal deaths were the primary outcome measure, with record linkage and concordance analysis performed.
Main Results:
- Perinatal mortality rates (PMR) varied between HW (42.25/1000) and AWW (45.78/1000) records for villages with complete data.
- Combined record linkage, including verification, yielded a PMR of 59.42/1000, while AWW data alone resulted in 51.66/1000.
- Moderate concordance (K=0.46) was observed between AWW and HW records for pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A significant lack of systematic record linkage exists between and within HW and AWW data at the primary healthcare level.
- Anganwadi Worker data demonstrated higher accuracy and timeliness compared to Health Worker data.
- Record linkage offers a viable method for obtaining reasonably accurate perinatal mortality rate estimates.