Lesaca Esquiroz, Javier (2017). Baseline Salud Mesoamerica Honduras: Household Survey 2015. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/mo2wzy8r

1. Spanish

What is the Honduras Household Health Survey?

The Honduras Household Health Survey is part of the Mesoamerica Health Initiative, a regional effort to improve maternal and child health in Honduras and neighboring countries.
It collects comprehensive household-level data to understand the key factors behind malnutrition in Honduras, access to maternal care, and child health outcomes.

How does the survey measure malnutrition in Honduras?

Child malnutrition is assessed using anthropometric indicators—height, weight, and age—collected in Module 3.
These measurements help identify cases of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five, providing key evidence for public health programs tackling Honduras malnutrition.

Who was surveyed?

Field teams interviewed women aged 15–49 and caregivers of children under five in both urban and rural areas of Honduras.
This ensures representation of households across different geographic and socioeconomic contexts, including marginalized populations.

What is the purpose of the Mesoamerica Health Initiative in Honduras?

The initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality, expand access to essential health services, and combat malnutrition in Honduras.

This baseline dataset enables comparisons over time, illustrating how policy and program interventions enhance outcomes in Honduras' maternal health and childhood nutrition.

What specific maternal health indicators are covered?

The dataset tracks:
- Antenatal care (number and timing of visits)
- Skilled birth attendance and delivery setting
- Postnatal care for mothers and newborns
- Family planning and reproductive health services

These metrics form the foundation for assessing maternal health in Honduras.

How can researchers and policymakers use this data?

Users can:
- Evaluate the determinants of child malnutrition in Honduras
- Monitor maternal and newborn health coverage
- Identify gaps in healthcare access between rural and urban regions
- Design targeted nutrition and health programs based on evidence

What geographic areas are covered?

The survey encompasses households across diverse departments and municipalities in Honduras, ensuring both national coverage and representation of vulnerable groups, including rural and indigenous communities.

How was the data collected?

Data were gathered through structured household interviews and health assessments, including anthropometric measurements conducted by trained professionals.
Each interview followed standardized regional protocols under the Mesoamerica Health Initiative.

What time period does this dataset represent?

The data represent baseline conditions before major health interventions, providing a reference point for future evaluations of progress in maternal and child health in Honduras.

Who conducted and funded the survey?

The survey was implemented with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with Honduras’s national health authorities and regional partners within the Mesoamerica Health Initiative.

What are the current prevalence rates of chronic malnutrition and stunting in Honduras?

According to the 2015 Mesoamérica Household Survey, chronic malnutrition (stunting) affected approximately 23–25% of children under five. Rates were higher in rural departments such as Lempira and Intibucá, reflecting persistent geographic disparities.

What are the rates of child stunting and wasting by age group in Honduras?

The survey found stunting most prevalent among children aged 24–59 months, while wasting (low weight-for-height) was less common, affecting under 5% of children. This indicates chronic undernutrition is a more significant issue than acute malnutrition.

How common are iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency in Honduras?

Household survey data show that iron-deficiency anemia affected nearly one in three children under five, while vitamin A deficiency affected about 10%. Iodine deficiency was less widespread due to salt iodization programs.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Honduras according to current statistics?

The survey reported a maternal mortality ratio of approximately 129 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015, which is higher than the Latin American regional average. Rural areas showed elevated risks due to limited access to emergency obstetric care.

What is the prenatal and postnatal care coverage in Honduras by department?

Coverage varied significantly: urban areas like Tegucigalpa had over 80% of women receiving at least four prenatal visits, while rural departments such as Gracias a Dios reported less than 50%. Postnatal care coverage was consistently lower across all regions.

What is the childhood vaccination coverage and immunization schedule in Honduras?

The survey confirmed high coverage for basic vaccines (BCG, DPT, polio), with over 85% of children under one year vaccinated. However, coverage for newer vaccines such as rotavirus and pneumococcal was lower, particularly in rural communities.

What were the current infant and under-five mortality rates in Honduras in 2015?

Infant mortality was estimated at 22 per 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality stood at 27 per 1,000. These rates highlight progress compared to the 1990s but remain above regional averages.