Small Area Variation in the Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in India

Publication information:

Lee H-Y, Rana MJ, Kim R, al.
Small Area Variation in the Quality of Maternal and Newborn Care in India. JAMA Network Open. 2022;11:e2242666.

Abstract

Question  
How much do small areas contribute to the geographic variation in quality of maternal and newborn care in India?

Findings  
In this cross-sectional study including 123 257 children, the largest share of geographic variance in maternal and newborn care quality was attributed to small areas in India. The lower the mean composite quality score the districts had, the larger the variation between small areas within the district.

Meaning  
These findings highlight the importance of considering heterogeneity within districts to improve maternal and newborn outcomes in India.