Lesaca Esquiroz, Javier (2017). Baseline Salud Mesoamerica Panama: Household Survey 2015. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/ifnfecx4

1. Spanish

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

The initiative seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes by addressing barriers to care, reducing malnutrition, and promoting equitable access to essential health services.

This baseline dataset establishes a foundation for measuring progress toward these goals.

What kind of information does this dataset include?

The dataset covers key reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) indicators, such as:
- Antenatal and postnatal care visits
- Skilled birth attendance and delivery conditions
- Vaccination coverage and preventive care
- Nutrition and feeding practices for children under five
- Anthropometric measures (height, weight, and age) used to assess Panama malnutrition

Who participated in the survey?

The dataset includes responses from women aged 15–49 and caregivers of children under five, representing a wide range of geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts across Panama.

How does this dataset measure malnutrition in Panama?

Panama malnutrition is assessed using anthropometric data collected in Module 3, including children’s height, weight, and age.
These variables are used to calculate standard indicators such as stunting (chronic malnutrition), wasting (acute malnutrition), and underweight, helping identify regions most affected by child undernutrition.

What health indicators for children in Panama does the dataset track?

The survey captures a broad set of Panama child health data, including: - Anthropometry (height, weight, age) to derive stunting, wasting, and underweight (Module 3). - Vaccination status and documentation (e.g., vaccination card) for routine immunizations (Modules 2B/2C). - Recent illness and care-seeking (fever, diarrhea, respiratory symptoms; where care was sought and why not) (Module 2B). - Feeding and nutrition practices for young children (Modules 2B/2C). - Household context (province/comarca, district, locality; water/sanitation proxies; socioeconomic characteristics) (Module 1).

These variables enable analysis of nutritional status, preventive coverage, and treatment access at the household level across Panama’s urban, rural, and indigenous areas.

What do the data highlight as the primary child health challenges in Panama?

Based on the household modules and child measures, recurrent challenges include: - Undernutrition pockets identified via stunting/underweight measures (Module 3). - Incomplete or delayed vaccination, observable through vaccine-by-dose fields and presence/absence of documentation (Modules 2B/2C). - Barriers to timely care-seeking for common childhood illnesses (Module 2B), including cost, distance, or availability. - Contextual disparities linked to geography (including indigenous comarcas), household education, and other socioeconomic factors (Module 1).

The dataset is a baseline, so it shows conditions at the time of the survey rather than post-intervention outcomes.

What maternal and child health programs in Panama does the dataset relate to?

This dataset underpins the Mesoamerica Health Initiative in Panama by: - Establishing pre-intervention coverage for antenatal/postnatal care, skilled birth attendance, child immunization, and nutrition (Modules 2A–2C). - Identifying service and access gaps across departments and comarcas (Module 1). - Providing the measurement framework (baseline indicators) to monitor subsequent program performance in Panama maternal health and child outcomes.

How can researchers use this data?

Researchers and policymakers can use the dataset to:
- Analyze Panama child health data and track progress in immunization and nutrition programs
- Identify determinants of Panama maternal health and service utilization
- Map malnutrition hotspots and evaluate intervention effectiveness
- Design evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes for women and children

What are the main modules in the dataset?

The dataset is divided into several modules:
- Module 1: Household demographics and language information
- Modules 2A–2C: Women’s reproductive health, child illness, and nutrition behavior
- Module 3: Anthropometric measurements for assessing Panama malnutrition

What are the key findings about child health in Panama?

Early analysis indicates that while overall child health in Panama has improved, disparities persist between rural and urban communities.
Indigenous and low-income households experience higher rates of child malnutrition and limited access to preventive healthcare.

How does this dataset inform Panama’s public health policy?

By providing detailed Panama child health data, the survey helps health authorities identify where resources are most needed.
It supports programs targeting maternal health, nutrition, and child welfare in Panama, particularly in the most vulnerable regions.

How was the data collected?

Data were collected through household interviews and physical health assessments, conducted by trained field teams using standardized regional protocols under the Mesoamerica Health Initiative.

What time period does the dataset represent?

The dataset represents baseline conditions before major health interventions began in Panama, making it a crucial reference for tracking future progress.

Who conducted and funded the survey?

The survey was conducted in partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Panama’s Ministry of Health, and regional partners within the Mesoamerica Health Initiative.

What are the latest available statistics on child health and wellness in Panama?

The 2015 household survey found that under-five mortality was approximately 19 per 1,000 live births, while infant mortality stood at 16 per 1,000. Child health outcomes varied significantly by region, with indigenous comarcas reporting worse indicators.

What are the child vaccination rates and immunization coverage trends in Panama?

Survey data showed high coverage for basic vaccines such as BCG, DPT, and polio (above 85%). Coverage of newer vaccines, such as rotavirus and pneumococcal, was lower, particularly in rural and Indigenous areas.

Why are there child health disparities in Panama's indigenous regions?

The survey documented lower access to health services, higher rates of stunting, and reduced vaccination coverage in comarcas such as Ngäbe-Buglé and Guna Yala. Geographic isolation and socioeconomic inequality were key drivers.