Scaling-up community maternal verbal autopsies - a viable approach?
Community verbal autopsies (VA) are a recommended component of Maternal Death Surveillance and Response systems.
Community VA involves an interview at an appropriate time with an appropriate family member of a deceased person to collect information on the circumstances around the time of death. The findings are analysed to identify what factors could prevent other deaths occurring due to similar circumstances. Dr Barnett explores the challenges and opportunities for community VAs drawing from her extensive experience in working in the field of maternal and newborn health.
Dr Sarah Barnett, Technical Specialist at Options, wrote this opinion piece for the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) Action Network.
Barnett, S. (2017). Is scaling-up community maternal verbal autopsies a viable approach to inform action to reduce maternal mortality? London: MDSR Action Network-Evidence for Action.