The study was conducted in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ region, which is one of the nine regions in Ethiopia. The longitudinal household survey was designed to collect information on knowledge, practice and coverage of maternal and neonatal health. The study was implemented in the same 44 enumeration areas that were used in the first four rounds of the PMA2020 core survey.

The study first conducted a census of all households in the 44 EAs. All household members were enumerated and all women between the ages of 15-49 were screened. Women who were six or more months pregnant, by self-report of gestational age, were eligible for participation in the longitudinal study. A household and individual questionnaire were completed at the time of enrollment. During the postpartum period, Resident Enumerators (REs) returned to administer questionnaires in-person at seven days and six weeks postpartum, and either called or visited in person at six months postpartum to administer the final questionnaire.

Data collection occurred at the following times: Screening and enrollment: July to October 2016; MNH-1 interview: August 2016 to January 2017; MNH-2 interview: September 2016 to February 2017; MNH-3 interview: January to July 2017