Technical Assistance with Surveys, Surveillance, and Research

Our experience includes working closely with Ministries of Health, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, international programs, statistics agencies, and family planning or reproductive health organizations throughout the world. The services we offer can lead to improving health data collection, analysis, and use in the host nation.

Our projects use a collaborative approach that builds the skills of in-country health professionals and workers so they become proficient in conducting reproductive health research. This ultimately gives organizations the institutional resources to conduct key program management and evaluation activities. With better measurement, surveillance, and data analysis, our counterparts can make informed decisions now and in the future.

Reproductive Health Surveillance

CDC/DRH assists in developing or improving systems to collect, analyze, and interpret health data to assess and monitor—

• Maternal mortality and morbidity.
• Maternal and infant health practices.
• Reproductive health outcomes (such as obstetric fistula).
• Health service integration.

Population-Based Surveys

We can create and conduct surveys tailored to meet local needs. Assistance includes, but is not limited to—

• Sampling and overall survey design.
• Questionnaire development.
• Data entry and management training.
• Complex analysis, including GIS and mapping.
• Data use.

We also adapt the signature Reproductive Health Surveys to include topics of local importance or interest such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, gender issues, and child health.

Epidemiological Research and Investigation

CDC is known worldwide for its expertise in epidemiology and public health programs. Epidemiological research studies can provide health authorities with a more thorough understanding of health problems and how to prevent them.

CDC/DRH can help obtain evidence in virtually all areas of reproductive health, including—

• Investigating the causes of reproductive health problems in a population (such as maternal deaths or sexually-transmitted infections).
• Performing analyses (such as on the safety and efficacy of specific contraceptives).
• Linking laboratory and other services to epidemiological investigations.
• Training health professionals “in-county” to perform their own investigations and research.

Additional Capabilities

We draw upon a cadre of highly-experienced professionals to work on projects needing assistance in program management, operations, and evaluation. You also gain access to the expertise of other CDC scientists and program managers of public health initiatives ranging from infertility to pregnancy-related complications to emergency preparedness for pandemics and outbreaks. Most important, our professionals are committed to the principle of “health diplomacy” in all aspects of planning and conducting tasks in the global arena.

How Can Programs and Institutions Access CDC's Technical Assistance?

There are two primary mechanisms for accessing and paying for CDC’s technical assistance:

• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
  If the country wishing to receive technical assistance receives financial assistance from USAID, the organization should contact the Health, Population, and Nutrition Officer at the USAID mission in that country.  If the activity is approved, the Mission can put money into an existing Interagency Agreement between USAID and CDC to fund the activity.  Government agencies such as ministries of health, national statistics institutes, and universities, as well as non-governmental family planning and reproductive health organizations, are potentially eligible for CDC technical assistance.
• CDC Foundation
  If the technical assistance will be supported by non-USAID funding (such as from other donors), then donor agencies can fund CDC/DRH technical assistance through the CDC Foundation. The CDC Foundation will facilitate the development of an agreement and manage the funding process. As with USAID-funded activities, government agencies and non-governmental family planning and reproductive health organizations are potentially eligible for CDC technical assistance. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.

Contact our Global Health Program Director to discuss your needs. We can help you determine the best mechanism available to your governmental or nongovernmental program.