Five health zones in each health area were selected at random to be included in the sample. All health areas within the same health zone had the same probability of being selected. In cases where more than one health center served a health area, a center was chosen randomly. The non-selected health areas have been ordered and could be used as a replacement if the field teams are unable to conduct the survey at one of the selected health centers. The selection made no distinction between health centers offering the minimum package of activities (PMAs) and reference health centers offering a more complete package of services (BCPs).The five health centers selected within each health zone were randomly divided into two categories: 2 health centers for in-depth evaluation and 3 health centers for Light and shorter / shorter. The purpose of a shorter assessment is to obtain key elements regarding the availability of health services at the community level in the health area.
In addition to health centers, facility surveys were also conducted in the General Reference Hospitals (HGR). In general, a health zone has only one HGR. However, some health zones do not have a hospital of this type. Eighty health districts among those supported by the PDSS project were selected for the hospital survey. For the other two categories of health zones, a hospital survey had to be carried out once a hospital existed in the health zone.
A stratified random sampling of health, medical and paramedical staff with responsibilities for maternal and child health care delivery in health facilities was to be selected for interview in a health provider survey. Four health workers were to be interviewed in each health facility for an in-depth evaluation of health centers and hospitals. In health centers where the abridged version of the assessment was to be conducted, only one health provider was randomly interviewed. Eligible health workers include physicians, nurses, midwives / auxiliary midwives, and any other health care provider providing care related to targeted services. In institutions with fewer than 4 health workers, all eligible health workers will be interviewed.
