POPLINE Document Number: 194585
Author(s):
Mercer A
Khan MH
Daulatuzzaman M
Reid J
Source citation:
Health Policy and Planning, 2004 Jul;19(4):187-198.
Abstract:
This paper considers evidence of the effectiveness of a non-governmental organization (NGO) primary health care programme in rural Bangladesh. It is based on data from the programme’s management information system reported by 27 partner NGOs from 1996–2002. The data indicate relatively high coverage has been achieved for reproductive and child health services, as well as lower infant and child mortality. On the basis of a crude indicator of socio-economic status, the programme is poverty-focused. There is good service coverage among the poorest one-third and others, and the infant and child mortality differential has been eliminated over recent years. A rapid decline in infant mortality among the poorest from 1999–2002 reflects a reduction in neonatal mortality of about 50%. Allowing for some under-reporting and possible misclassification of deaths to the stillbirths category, neonatal mortality is relatively low in the NGO areas. The lower child and maternal mortality for the NGO areas combined, compared with estimates for Bangladesh in recent years, may at least in part be due to high coverage of reproductive and child health services. Other development programmes implemented by many of the NGOs could also have contributed. Despite the limited resources available, and the lower infant and child mortality already achieved, there appears to be scope for further prevention of deaths, particularly those due to birth asphyxia, acute respiratory infection, diarrhoeal disease and accidents. Maternal mortality in the NGO areas was lower in 2000–02 than the most recent estimate for Bangladesh. Further reduction is likely to depend on improved access to qualified community midwives and essential obstetric care at government referral facilities. (author's)
Keywords:
BangladeshIndex page
Research Report
Evaluation
Nongovernmental Organizations
Rural Population
Women in Development
Infant
Child
Primary Health Care
Management
Information Services
Maternal-Child Health Services
Infant Mortality
Child Mortality
Program Effectiveness
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Organizations
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Youth
Age Factors
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Organization and Administration
Information
Mortality
Population Dynamics
Program Evaluation
Programs