BACKGROUND
This study, the first of its kind to identify Newborn Signal Functions (NSFs) in Bangladesh, identified a total of 20 NSFs and developed a health facility assessment tool based on the indicators. Using this tool, the study surveyed a total of 205 health facilities in 41 districts to assess the service availability and readiness of health facilities for delivering newborn health care services. To identify the NSFs, the study used the Delphi technique (a method to achieve convergence of opinions with experts in relevant field), conducted desk reviews, and key informant interviews to explore newborn interventions and functions at the national and global level. Later, the study held a series of consultations with stakeholders to prioritize, shortlist, test and finalize 20 newborn interventions and functions to categorize the health facilities as primary, basic, comprehensive and advanced level health care facilities.
The study made a significant mark at the policy level. The National Newborn Health Program (NNHP) and IMCI sections of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) of Bangladesh have declared these 20 NSFs as the National Newborn Signal Function of Bangladesh. The NSFs have also become a part of the national checklist for routine monitoring of newborn health services in different tiers of health facilities in Bangladesh. NNHP and IMCI are also planning to include NSFs in the next National Child Health Strategy and the National Newborn Health Strategy as a monitoring tool to track the progress of newborn health care services in Bangladesh.
OBJECTIVES
- To identify a set of Newborn Signal Functions for Bangladesh
- To assess the service availability, readiness and functionality of public health facilities based on Newborn Signal Functions
STUDY AREA
41 districts
PARTNERS
- National newborn health program & IMCI (NNHP&IMCI)
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
- Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP)
- National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT)
- Bangladesh Pediatric Association (BPA)
- Bangladesh Neonatal Forum (BNF)
- Bangladesh Perinatal Association (BPA)
- Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB)
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)
- Dhaka Medical College (DMC)
- Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College (ShSMC)
- Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC)
- Mugda Medical College (MMC)
- Dhaka Shishu Hospital
- BIRDEM
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- UNICEF
- Ipas
- Save the Children (SCI)
- icddr,b
- USAID
STATUS
Completed
DATE OF RESULTS DISSEMINATION
8 March 2020
FOCAL PERSON
Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman ehsanur@icddrb.org
RESOURCES
Research brief on newborn signal functions in Bangladesh: Identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities
National Dissemination on Newborn signal functions in Bangladesh: Identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities
Newborn signal functions in Bangladesh: identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities study protocol using Delphi technique
Final Report on Newborn signal functions in Bangladesh: Identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities
Journal Article on Newborn Signal Functions in Bangladesh: Identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities