engleski

Gaps in policy-relevant information on burden of disease in children: a systematic review.

Background: Valid information on cause-specific child mortality and morbidity is an essential foundation for national and international health policy. Aim: To examine the geographic dispersion and time trends in publication for policy-relevant child health information and to evaluate associations between the availability of reliable data and poverty. Methods: Systematic reviews were conducted to identify data on the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children that were available on January 1, 2001 and published since 1980. Studies containing relevant data were assessed against a set of inclusion criteria to identify those likely to provide unbiased estimates of the burden of childhood disease in the community. Findings: Only 308 estimates (?information units?) from over 17, 000 papers identified were considered to be likely to provide unbiased estimates of disease burden. The geographical distribution of these information units revealed a pattern of small well-researched populations surrounded by large areas with little available information. No reliable population-based data were identified from countries accounting for about one third of all child deaths globally, including many of the world?s poorest countries. The number of new studies has reduced over the last 10 years investigated. Interpretation: There is a remarkable paucity of population-based studies yielding burden of childhood disease estimates from developing countries published between 1980-2000. The decreasing trend over time suggests falling research investment in this field. Data are especially sparse from the world?s least developed countries with the highest child mortality. Guidelines for the conduct of burden of disease studies together with an international research policy that gives increased emphasis to global equity and coverage so that knowledge is generated from all regions of the world are needed.

child health; evidence and information; health policy; morbidity and mortality; developing countries; acute respiratory infections; diarrhoea; malaria; neonatal disorders; health metrics

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