title: Measuring Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in Developing Countries Using Demographic and Health Surveys.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the greatest obstacles facing efforts to address quality of care in low and middle income countries is the absence of relevant and reliable data. This article proposes a methodology for creating a single "Quality Index" (QI) representing quality of maternal and neonatal health care based upon data collected as part of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the 2012 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey dataset, indicators of quality of care were identified based on the recommended guidelines outlined in the WHO Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth. Two sets of indicators were created; one set only including indicators available in the standard DHS questionnaire and the other including all indicators identified in the Indonesian dataset. For each indicator set composite indices were created using Principal Components Analysis and a modified form of Equal Weighting. These indices were tested for internal coherence and robustness, as well as their comparability with each other. Finally a single QI was chosen to explore the variation in index scores across a number of known equity markers in Indonesia including wealth, urban rural status and geographical region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The process of creating quality indexes from standard DHS data was proven to be feasible, and initial results from Indonesia indicate particular disparities in the quality of care received by the poor as well as those living in outlying regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QI represents an important step forward in efforts to understand, measure and improve quality of MNCH care in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Public Health Building, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dettrick
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Public Health Building, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Hebe N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Gouda
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Public Health Building, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Public Health Building, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Soto
mesh_terms: D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D003906:Developing Countries; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*