The feasibility of European reproductive health indicators.
OBJECTIVE
The elaboration of a European health monitoring system is an ongoing process. Our aim was to study the availability, feasibility and comparability of the reproductive health indicators and to illustrate whether cross-country comparisons are feasible for pinpointing areas of concern and future research.


METHODS
We surveyed 18 reproductive health indicators from eight countries: Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Spain. The data were obtained from national sources and international health databases.


RESULTS
Indicators based on routine health and population statistics and registers were available, reliable, and comparable. The only exceptions were the proportion of children born after assisted reproductive technology and age-specific teenage birth rates, which were less commonly available. There were more problems in obtaining comparable information for indicators which are to be taken from health surveys. In many cases the data did not exist at all or were old. The comparability was also affected by the significant variation in data collection methods, inclusion criteria and survey-question wording. Consequently, the comparability could not be ascertained with our data.


CONCLUSIONS
Health surveys seldom include questions on reproductive and sexual health. The European Health Interview should include core questions on reproductive and sexual health.
Gissler
Mika
M
STAKES National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland. mika.gissler@stakes.fi
Hannikainen-Ingman
Katri
K
Donati
Serena
S
Jahn
Albrecht
A
da Silva
Miguel Oliveira
MO
Hemminki
Elina
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology