title: Verbal/Social Autopsy in Niger 2012-2013: A new tool for a better understanding of the neonatal and child mortality situation.
abstract: Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, recently used for the first time the integrated verbal and social autopsy (VASA) tool to assess the biological causes and social and health system determinants of neonatal and child deaths. These notes summarize the Nigerien experience in the use of this new tool, the steps taken for high level engagement of the Niger government and stakeholders for the wide dissemination of the study results and their use to support policy development and maternal, neonatal and child health programming in the country. The experience in Niger reflects lessons learned by other developing countries in strengthening the use of data for evidence-based decision making, and highlights the need for the global health community to provide continued support to country data initiatives, including the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of high quality data for the development of targeted, highly effective interventions. In Niger, this is supporting the country's progress toward achieving Millennium Development Goal 4. A follow-up VASA study is being planned and the tool is being integrated into the National Health Management Information System. VASA studies have now been completed or are under way in additional sub-Saharan African countries, in each through the same collaborative process used in Niger to bring together health policy makers, program planners and development partners.
authors.affiliation: UNICEF, Niger country office, Niamey, Niger (retired).
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bensaïd
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: Asma Gali
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Yaroh
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Henry D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kalter
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Alain K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Koffi
authors.affiliation: UNICEF, New York City, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Agbessi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amouzou
authors.affiliation: Institute National des Statistics, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: Abdou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maina
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Narjis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kazmi
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D046688:Child Mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000068101:Maternal-Child Health Services; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009548:Niger; D011050:Policy Making