6-10
Health. indicators
position
position
Health indicators are key facts or
events that give an idea of the overall
this
year
last
year
level of health in a community. Usually
things that can be measured are chosen
as indicators (see the list below).
Measurable or ‘numerical’ indicators
make comparisons and reporting
easier, and they appear more accurate.
But when only measurable indicators are used, there is a danger of giving too little
importance to human factors that are difficult or impossible to measure.
This is a mistake made by many programs—especially large ones. For example,
the success of family planning programs is often measured by indicators like:
“How many new couples are recruited each month?” But such indicators
ignore important human factors like: “To what extent are women pressured into
accepting family planning?” or “How do people feel about programs that put
more emphasis on birth control than on other aspects of health care?” Failure
to consider these less measurable human indicators has resulted in some huge
programs and development agencies being thrown out of countries.
In planning or evaluating community activities, it is important
that health workers learn to look at the less measurable
human indicators as well as the standard measurable ones.
Here is a list of some measurable and non-measurable health indicators. Add to it
from your own experience.
Commonly used MEASURABLE INDICATORS of
community health
Number or percent of:
• infant deaths
• deaths of children under 5, of adults, etc.
• well nourished or poorly nourished children
• children and pregnant women vaccinated
• children per family (family size)
• couples who plan their families
• families with piped water, latrines, etc.
• attendance at under-fives program
• cases of specific diseases
Less measurable, more HUMAN INDICATORS of
community well-being
• attitudes of the people about themselves
• movement toward dependency or self-reliance
• examples of families helping each other (or
fighting)
• how community decisions^are made
• how well education relates to community needs
• fairness or corruptness of leaders
• extent to which leaders, health workers, and
teachers serve as good role models, share their
knowledge, and treat others as equals
• social awareness; ability of the poor to express
and analyze their needs