Indicators for monitoring progress in maternal and child health care in Africa

Summary: Health trends are important to assess and measure as they provide guidance for planning, administration and evaluation of hearth care and services. To achieve this objective a reliable indicator is necessary. In this study on African countries, the infant mortality rate proved to be a sensitive indicator; increases in the GNP per capita, female literacy, and nursing personnel correlate with decrease in mortality in infancy and early childhood. Since several factors influence this indicator, more research at the household level, country level, and among countries, with better data analysis is needed. All institutions concerned are urged to improve recording and reporting of information pertaining to health survival and development.