Using Geospatial Data and Analytics to Guide Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Programs

Publish Date: June 2019
Author: MCSP and Partners

Supplement Editors: Kristine Nilsen and Andrew J. Tatem

The purpose of this journal supplement in BMJ Global Health is to document and share single and multi-country experiences of utilizing GIS to analyze and improve RMNCAH outcomes. We share practical examples of how geospatial analyses can be used to investigate barriers to care, understand patterns of mortality, morbidity and care, and facilitate planning and decision-making during resource allocation, intervention targeting and impact demonstration. The supplement presents case studies on the use of GIS for RMNCAH that have programmatic and policy relevance, both locally and globally. We aim to bridge the gap between RMNCAH programmatic practice and the latest research, by bringing together experts in the field and geospatial analyses to develop a set of methodologies that can be applied across multiple disciplines in the field.

The supplement is composed of one editorial, one commentary, four research papers and six practice papers. The editorial and commentary synthesize the current GIS situation and resources, cross-cutting findings and technical approaches, recommendations, and future directions for applying geospatial analyses to advance RMNCH programming and health outcomes.

Editorial
Geospatial Analysis for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health: Gaps and Opportunities

Commentary
Best Practices in Availability, Management and Use of Geospatial Data to Guide Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programmes

Research
Geographic Access to Emergency Obstetric Services: A Model Incorporating Patient Bypassing Using Data from Mozambique

How Accurate are Modelled Birth and Pregnancy Estimates? Comparison of Four Models Using High Resolution Maternal Health Census Data in Southern Mozambique

Understanding the Relationship Between Family Planning Method Choices and Modern Contraceptive Use – An Analysis of Geographically Linked Population and Health Facilities Data in Haiti

Using Geospatial Modelling to Estimate the Prevalence of Adolescent First Births in Nepal

Practice

Using Spatial Analysis and GIS to Improve Planning and Resource Allocation in a Rural District of Bangladesh

Proposing Standardised Geographical Indicators of Physical Access to Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in Low-Income and Middle Income Countries

From Paper Maps to Digital Maps: Enhancing Routine Immunisation Microplanning in Northern Nigeria