DOI: 10.7910/dvn/v2sjp4
title: MCH Data Connect

description: &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About MCH Data Connect&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The MCH Data Connect provides public health professionals, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and students with a comprehensive catalog of maternal and child health data resources. Users can access a variety of databases, data sets, interactive tools, and maps related to their area of interest. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Maternal and Child Health&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The MCH Data Connect uses a broad definition of Maternal and Child Health, including the influence of access to health
care, health, health behaviors, education, violence, environmental conditions, demographics, and policy on the health of women, men, children, youth, families and communities.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Topics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Topics included in the MCH Data Connect: health care policy, experience of health care, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, economics, politics, social services, violence, and health behaviors, among others. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Data Resources&lt;/b&gt; &lt;/p&gt;Data resources described in this catalog include data sets, statistics, interactive tables, interactive maps, and databases. Many of the data sources are available for public consumption, though specific databases may require th
e user to purchase or apply for the dataset. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Basic Search&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Locate the "Search Studies" highlighted box above the list of resource on the MCH Data Connect homepage. Leave "Cataloging Information" as the default basic search command. To search, enter the keyword, topic or area of interest in field box (next to "Cataloging Information") to obtain a list of resources that apply to your search. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Access Resource&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Once the search is completed, a list of resources will appea
r. The first line provides a brief summary. To get more information (including producer, background, user functionality and data sources) about the specific resource, click on the underlined/ blue hyperlinked title. Once the resource description is opened, click on the link that says “Click here to access data from site” to go directly to the resource's web page.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Advanced Search&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Click on the "Advanced Search" link located in the "Search Studies" highlighted box above the list of resources on the MCH Data Connect homepage. From the Search Scope drop down lists, enter either Keyword or Abstract (these are the most detailed fields used by the MCH Data Connect). Enter multiple search terms to use the “and” searching criterion. For example, to search for resources related to diabetes and exercise, the user would select "Keyword" from the drop d
own list, "contains" and then enter "diabetes" in the field box. The user would repeat the first two steps to enter "exercise" in the next field box.
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Collections&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The Topic Folders section provides a list of broad categories that include many resources found in the MCH Data Connect. The files of the Topic Folders are on the left side of the homepage. Clicking on a file folder will result in a list of the resources that are related to the topic. The Topic Folders offer a starting place for your search. You can narrow your search further by performing either of the previous two searching techniques within a collection. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Qu
estions or Comments? &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; For questions, comments, or if you think we missed a useful information tool, please contact us via email at mchdataconnect@gmail.com. &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Glossary&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Some terms you will see on this website are unique to the cataloging service, Dataverse; The MCH Data Connect uses them differently. Please see below for a glossary of terms you will find at MCH Data Connect. Please note that interactive tools, datasets, and reports are referred to as “resources.” &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Te
rms&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Dataverse,&lt;/em&gt; the program used to develop the MCH Data Connect&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Study&lt;/em&gt;, resource containing relevant public health data and/or information&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Collection&lt;/em&gt;, broad categories into which resources have been classified&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;How to Cite&lt;/em&gt;, used as the resource title by MCH Data Connect&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Study Global ID&lt;/em&gt;, unique code given to each resource&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Producer&lt;/em&gt;, the agency or entity that produces and maintains the resource&lt;
/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Deposit Date&lt;/em&gt;, date when resource was added to the MCH Data Connect&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Provenance&lt;/em&gt;, will always be MCH Data Connect&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Abstract and Scope&lt;/em&gt;, contains resource summary and geographic unit information&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Abstract&lt;/em&gt;, summary of the resource&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Background&lt;/em&gt;, information about the purpose and development of the resource&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;User Functionality&lt;/em&gt;, what users can do with the data (i.e. download, customize charts)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Dat
a Notes&lt;/em&gt;, information about data sources, years and samples (if applicable)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Abstract Date&lt;/em&gt;, month and year that resource was added to MCH Data Connect&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keyword&lt;/em&gt;, specific variables, topics, or words that the resource addresses/encompasses&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Geographic Unit&lt;/em&gt;, level at which data is available&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Title&lt;/em&gt;, name of specific resource&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keyword Vocabulary&lt;/em&gt;, “link:” clicking on “link” will take user to an external website relate
d to the keyword term. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The following terms are not used by the MCH Data Connect Dataverse: &lt;em&gt;Topic Classification; Topic Classification Vocabulary; Other ID; Author; Distributor; Funding Agency; Production Date; Distribution Date; Time Period Covered Start; Time Period Covered End; Country/ Nation; Geographic Coverage; Universe; Kind of Data; Variable Information&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;