ISSUES IN MEASURING MATERNAL MORBIDITY - LESSONS FROM THE PHILIPPINESSAFE MOTHERHOOD SURVEY PROJECT

This report explores the limitations of survey research for obtaining population-based darn to define the magnitude of maternal morbidity in settings that lack a well-developed infrastructure to support women's health requirements. The experience gained in the Philippines Safe Mo therhood Survey Project is described. The drawbacks and benefits of th e preliminary validation and qualitative phase of research conducted t o develop the questionnaire are presented. The survey results indicate that interview-based diagnosis, although it implies the commitment of considerable resources, may be the only way to obtain an idea of the prevalence of some kinds of maternal morbidity in a given population, information necessary to the improvement of obstetric care and women's overall health status.