Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>WHO develops evidence-based guidelines for setting global standards and providing technical support to its Member States and the international community, as a whole. There is a clear need to ensure that WHO guidance is relevant, rigo...

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Main Authors: Coltart Cordelia EM, Souza João, Gülmezoglu Ahmet M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-10-01
Series:Reproductive Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/8/1/30
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author Coltart Cordelia EM
Souza João
Gülmezoglu Ahmet M
author_facet Coltart Cordelia EM
Souza João
Gülmezoglu Ahmet M
author_sort Coltart Cordelia EM
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>WHO develops evidence-based guidelines for setting global standards and providing technical support to its Member States and the international community, as a whole. There is a clear need to ensure that WHO guidance is relevant, rigorous and up-to date. A key activity is to ascertain the guidance needs of the countries. This study provides an international comparison of priority guidance needs for maternal and perinatal health. It incorporates data from those who inform policy and implementation strategies at a national level, in addition to targeting those who use and most need the guidance at grassroot level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An online multi-country survey was used to identify WHO guidance priorities for the next five years in the field of maternal and perinatal health. WHO regional and country offices were requested to respond the survey and obtain responses from Ministries of Health around the world. In addition, the survey was disseminated through other networks and relevant electronic forums.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 393 responses were received, including 56 from Ministries of Health and 54 from WHO/UN country offices. 75% of responses were from developing countries and 25% from developed countries. Guidance on strategies focusing on 'quality of care' issues to reduce all-cause maternal/perinatal mortality was considered the most important domain to target, which includes for instance guidance to improve access, dissemination, implementation of effective practices and health professionals' education.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides a panorama of international priority guidance needs for maternal and perinatal health. Although clinical guidance remains a priority, there are other areas related to health systems guidance, which seem to be even more important. Overall, the domain ranked highest in terms of greatest need for guidance was around quality of care, which included questions related to educational needs, access to and implementation of guidance.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-d4450aa15bad4d898a04e2c9fe613aec2022-12-22T01:40:42ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552011-10-01813010.1186/1742-4755-8-30Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry surveyColtart Cordelia EMSouza JoãoGülmezoglu Ahmet M<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>WHO develops evidence-based guidelines for setting global standards and providing technical support to its Member States and the international community, as a whole. There is a clear need to ensure that WHO guidance is relevant, rigorous and up-to date. A key activity is to ascertain the guidance needs of the countries. This study provides an international comparison of priority guidance needs for maternal and perinatal health. It incorporates data from those who inform policy and implementation strategies at a national level, in addition to targeting those who use and most need the guidance at grassroot level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An online multi-country survey was used to identify WHO guidance priorities for the next five years in the field of maternal and perinatal health. WHO regional and country offices were requested to respond the survey and obtain responses from Ministries of Health around the world. In addition, the survey was disseminated through other networks and relevant electronic forums.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 393 responses were received, including 56 from Ministries of Health and 54 from WHO/UN country offices. 75% of responses were from developing countries and 25% from developed countries. Guidance on strategies focusing on 'quality of care' issues to reduce all-cause maternal/perinatal mortality was considered the most important domain to target, which includes for instance guidance to improve access, dissemination, implementation of effective practices and health professionals' education.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides a panorama of international priority guidance needs for maternal and perinatal health. Although clinical guidance remains a priority, there are other areas related to health systems guidance, which seem to be even more important. Overall, the domain ranked highest in terms of greatest need for guidance was around quality of care, which included questions related to educational needs, access to and implementation of guidance.</p>http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/8/1/30Prioritizationmulti-country surveymaternal health guidelinesperinatal health guidelinesguideline development
spellingShingle Coltart Cordelia EM
Souza João
Gülmezoglu Ahmet M
Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
Reproductive Health
Prioritization
multi-country survey
maternal health guidelines
perinatal health guidelines
guideline development
title Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
title_full Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
title_fullStr Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
title_full_unstemmed Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
title_short Prioritizing WHO normative work on maternal and perinatal health: a multicountry survey
title_sort prioritizing who normative work on maternal and perinatal health a multicountry survey
topic Prioritization
multi-country survey
maternal health guidelines
perinatal health guidelines
guideline development
url http://www.reproductive-health-journal.com/content/8/1/30
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AT souzajoao prioritizingwhonormativeworkonmaternalandperinatalhealthamulticountrysurvey
AT gulmezogluahmetm prioritizingwhonormativeworkonmaternalandperinatalhealthamulticountrysurvey