Ortega, José Antonio and Cahill, Niamh and Sonneveldt, Emily and Emmart, Priya and Williamson, Jessica and Mbu, Robinson and Fodjo Yetgang, Airy Barrière and Dambula, Isaac and Azambuja, Gizela and Mahumane Govo, Alda Antonio and Joshi, Binod and Felix, Sayinzoga and Makashaka, Clarisse and Ndaruhutse, Victor and Serucaca, Joel and Madzima, Bernard and Muzavazi, Brighton and Alkema, Leontine (2021) Using family planning service statistics to inform model-based estimates of modern contraceptive prevalence. PLoS ONE, 16 (10). e0258304. ISSN 1932-6203

Preview

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The annual assessment of Family Planning (FP) indicators, such as the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR), is a key component of monitoring and evaluating goals of global FP programs and initiatives. To that end, the Family Planning Estimation Model (FPEM) was developed with the aim of producing survey-informed estimates and projections of mCPR and other key FP indictors over time. With large-scale surveys being carried out on average every 3–5 years, data gaps since the most recent survey often exceed one year. As a result, survey-based estimates for the current year from FPEM are often based on projections that carry a larger uncertainty than data informed estimates. In order to bridge recent data gaps we consider the use of a measure, termed Estimated Modern Use (EMU), which has been derived from routinely collected family planning service statistics. However, EMU data come with known limitations, namely measurement errors which result in biases and additional variation with respect to survey-based estimates of mCPR. Here we present a data model for the incorporation of EMU data into FPEM, which accounts for these limitations. Based on known biases, we assume that only changes in EMU can inform FPEM estimates, while also taking inherent variation into account. The addition of this EMU data model to FPEM allows us to provide a secondary data source for informing and reducing uncertainty in current estimates of mCPR. We present model validations using a survey-only model as a baseline comparison and we illustrate the impact of including the EMU data model in FPEM. Results show that the inclusion of EMU data can change point-estimates of mCPR by up to 6.7 percentage points compared to using surveys only. Observed reductions in uncertainty were modest, with the width of uncertainty intervals being reduced by up to 2.7 percentage points.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	family planning; service statistics; model-based estimates; modern contraceptive prevalence;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Mathematics and Statistics
Item ID:	16952
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258304
Depositing User:	Niamh Cahill
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2023 10:37
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS ONE
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads