Table 3. Comparison of the two summary indices of coverage of maternal and child health interventions according to selected criteria.
| Issue | Composite coverage indexa | Co-coverageb |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical aspects | ||
| Level of analysis | Group | Individual (child–mother) |
| Estimation of variance | Complex, requires re-sampling techniques | Simple |
| Missing indicators | Most surveys include all required indicators | Many surveys are missing indicators, especially vitamin A supplementation and tetanus toxoid vaccine |
| Indicator definitions | Indicators are based on standard international definitions | Indicators refer to children aged 12–59 months. Involves reanalysis of surveys |
| Weighting | Weighted by stage of the continuum of care | Unweighted |
| Small sample sizes | Mostly affects immunization and case management indicators for which the denominators include a fraction of all children | Because indicators are calculated for children aged 12 months or older, small samples are available for surveys where some variables (e.g. antenatal and delivery care) are only collected for those born in the past 24 months |
| Monitoring | ||
| Types of intervention | Preventive and curative interventions | Limited to preventive interventions |
| Conceptual model | Based on the continuum of care | No conceptual model |
| Target groups for interventions | Curative interventions apply only to children who are ill | All interventions are targeted to all mothers and children |
| Vaccines | Represent 25% of the index | Represent 50% of the index |
| Advocacy | ||
| Human rights’ assessment | At group level | At individual level |
| Identification of who is not receiving interventions | Only groups of mothers and children may be identified | Individual mothers and children may be identified |
a The composite coverage index is a weighted average of the coverage of eight interventions: family planning coverage; antenatal care; skilled birth attendant; bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination; three doses of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP3) vaccination; measles vaccination; oral rehydration therapy for infant diarrhoea; and care-seeking for childhood pneumonia.
b The co-coverage index is calculated at the individual level from the total number received from the following eight interventions: at least one antenatal care visit; tetanus vaccination during pregnancy; skilled birth attendant; BCG vaccination; DTP3 vaccination; measles vaccination; childhood vitamin A supplementation; and access to improved drinking water in the household.