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Baseline Health Mesoamerica Belize - LQAS Survey 2015

By Health, Nutrition and Population Division (VPS/SCL/HNP)

LQAS Survey Results: Belize Health Indicators in Maternal and Child Health

Baseline Health Mesoamerica Belize – LQAS Survey is a foundational assessment using the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) methodology. This survey provides authoritative data on Belize health indicators, with a particular focus on maternal and child health outcomes.

By leveraging the LQAS approach, the survey provides statistically reliable benchmarks for monitoring service delivery performance and identifying gaps across Belize’s healthcare system.

What the LQAS Survey Measures

The LQAS Survey in Belize evaluated key components of the country’s health landscape, emphasizing:

  • Belize maternal health indicators such as antenatal care coverage, institutional birth rates, and postnatal follow-up
  • Belize child health metrics including immunization coverage, early breastfeeding initiation, and access to treatment for common childhood illnesses
  • Broader Belize health indicators such as access to skilled health professionals, contraceptive use, and public health education reach

Why These Health Indicators Matter for Belize

The baseline data collected through the Belize LQAS Survey support:

  • Tracking national progress on maternal and child health targets
  • Designing targeted interventions to improve outcomes in underserved regions
  • Enabling evidence-based public health planning based on accurate and timely health data
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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/cjsh9ogy
License Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 IGO
Citation

Inter-American Development Bank (2017). Baseline Health Mesoamerica Belize - LQAS Survey 2015. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/cjsh9ogy
Published date 2017-03-24
Modified date 2026-07-15
Tags/Keywords Access · Health · Healthcare Systems · Inequality · Maternal Health · Mortality Rate · Poverty · Reproductive · Sexual · Teenage Pregnancy
Language
  1. Spanish
Temporal coverage 2015-2015
Country
Belize
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Inter-American Development Bank
Data collection type Survey Data
Statistical type Cross-sectional Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What is this dataset about?

The Baseline Health Survey: Mesoamerica, Belize collects household and individual data to evaluate health, nutrition, and vaccination conditions in Belize. It is part of the Mesoamerica Health Initiative, which seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Central America.

What kind of information does the dataset include?

The dataset includes over 200 variables that cover:
- Demographics (age, marital status, education level, income)
- Maternal and child health indicators
- Vaccination records (DPT, MMR, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal)
- Access to health services
- Living conditions and household infrastructure

Who was surveyed?

Women between 15 and 49 years old and their households were interviewed across multiple districts in Belize, including Corozal, Orange Walk, and others.

What is the purpose of the survey?

The survey establishes a baseline for monitoring the progress of health interventions in Belize under the Mesoamerica Health Initiative. It helps identify gaps in vaccination, maternal care, and access to health services.

How was the data collected?

Field teams conducted structured interviews with households and women of reproductive age, recording data on education, income, fertility, and vaccination records.

What is the geographic coverage?

The survey covers urban and rural areas across several districts in Belize, providing a nationally relevant sample within the Mesoamerican region.

What time period does the dataset cover?

The baseline survey data correspond to the first implementation phase of the Mesoamerica Health Initiative in Belize, focused on pre-intervention measurement.

How can researchers use this dataset?

Researchers and policymakers can use this dataset to:
- Analyze health inequalities in Belize
- Track vaccination coverage and child health outcomes
- Evaluate education and income effects on health behavior
- Inform targeted public health interventions

Who conducted the survey?

The dataset was developed with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with the Mesoamerica Health Initiative and local implementing partners in Belize.

What are the dataset’s limitations?

  • The data reflect baseline conditions before health interventions began.
  • Some variables contain missing responses or non-responses, typical of large field surveys.
  • Rural and remote communities may be underrepresented in smaller subsamples.

What is the current state of child health in Belize according to the survey?

The 2015 LQAS survey found that children under five faced common health risks such as diarrhea and respiratory illness. Breastfeeding initiation was high, but exclusive breastfeeding duration varied. Access to treatment for diarrhea often relied on public hospitals, with oral rehydration solutions used inconsistently.

What are Belize’s immunization coverage rates for children?

Survey data show coverage for key vaccines such as BCG, polio, DPT, MMR, HepB, rotavirus, and pneumococcal. While most children had vaccination cards, gaps remained in full schedule completion, particularly for newer vaccines like rotavirus and pneumococcal.

How accessible are maternal health services in Belize?

Most mothers reported at least one antenatal care visit, often with skilled providers such as doctors or nurses. However, the number of visits varied, and rural households reported barriers related to transport and cost. Deliveries were primarily in public hospitals, though traditional birth attendants were still used in some communities.

What does the survey reveal about breastfeeding practices?

The majority of mothers initiated breastfeeding, often within hours of birth. However, exclusive breastfeeding was not universal, with early introduction of other foods and liquids reported. This has implications for child nutrition and stunting prevention.

What are the main barriers to family planning use in Belize?

While awareness of contraceptive methods was high, reasons for non-use included infrequent sexual activity, cost, side effects, and opposition from partners. This highlights the need for improved counseling and access to affordable options.

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