RESUMO
Reported is the use of a simplified methodology for carrying out a community-based epidemiological assessment that is compatible with the goals of primary health care research. For this purpose, a current-status life table analysis of data from 1131 women who were served by community health workers in the State of México was used to determine the distributions of the duration of postpartum breast-feeding, amenorrhoea, and contraceptive use. The field methods used incorporated quality assurance procedures. At 1 month postpartum, 78% of the infants were still being breast-fed, at 5 months 50%, and at 12 months 25%. The level of amenorrhoea at 1 month postpartum was 85%, at 3 months 50%, and at 5 months 25%. Use of contraceptives was initiated at an early stage, with 42% of all users beginning during the first month postpartum. The simplified method described permitted the area's primary health care administrators to carry out research projects for programme development rapidly and was compatible with the locally available resources.
PIP: Reported here is the use of a simplified methodology for carrying out a community-based epidemiological assessment that is compatible with the goals of primary health care research. For this purpose, a current status life table analysis of data from 1131 women who were served by community healthworkers in the state of Mexico was used to determine the distributions of the duration of postpartum breastfeeding, amenorrhea, and contraceptive use. The field methods used incorporated quality assurance procedures. At 1 month postpartum, 78% of the infants were still being breastfed, at 5 months 50%, and at 12 months 25%. The level of amenorrhea at 1 month postpartum was 85%, at 3 months 50%, and at 5 months 25%. Use of contraceptives was initiated at an early stage, with 42% of all users beginning during the 1st month postpartum. The simplified method described permitted the area's primary health care administrators to carry out research projects for program development rapidly and was compatible with the locally available resources. (author's)