The RADAR coverage tool: developing a toolkit for rigorous household surveys for reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health & nutrition indicators

Melinda K. Munos, Abdoulaye Maïga, Talata Sawadogo-Lewis, Emily Wilson, Onome Ako, Serafina Mkuwa, Frida Ngalesoni, Jennifer L. Brenner, Dismas Matovelo, Idrissa Ouili, Abdramane Soura, Moussa Bougma, Ashley Sheffel, Amy J. Hobbs, Neff Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Population-based intervention coverage data are used to inform the design of projects, programs, and policies and to evaluate their impact. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), household surveys are the primary source of coverage data. Many coverage surveys are implemented by organizations with limited experience or resources in population-based data collection. We developed a streamlined survey and set of supporting materials to facilitate rigorous survey design and implementation. The RADAR coverage survey tool aimed to 1) rigorously measure priority reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health & nutrition coverage indicators, and allow for equity and gender analyses; 2) use standard, valid questions, to the extent possible; 3) be as light as possible; 4) be flexible to address users’ needs; and 5) be compatible with the Lives Saved Tool for analysis of program impact. Early interactions with stakeholders also highlighted survey planning, implementation, and analysis as challenging areas. We therefore developed a suite of resources to support implementers in these areas. The toolkit was piloted by implementers in Tanzania and in Burkina Faso. Although the toolkit was successfully implemented in these settings and facilitated survey planning and implementation, we found that implementers must still have access to sufficient resources, time, and technical expertise in order to use the tool appropriately. This potentially limits the use of the tool to situations where high-quality surveys or evaluations have been prioritized and adequately resourced.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2006419
JournalGlobal health action
Volume15
Issue numbersup1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Household survey
  • child health
  • maternal health
  • newborn health
  • nutrition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health Policy

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