In this manuscript, we describe the process of selecting nurturing care indicators at the municipal level from existing routine information systems to develop the Brazilian Early Childhood Friendly Index (IMAPI). Three methodological steps developed through a participatory decision‐making process were followed. First, a literature review identified potential indicators to translate the components of nurturing care. Four technical panels composed of stakeholders from federal, state and municipal levels were consulted to identify data sources, their availability at the municipal level and the strengths and weakness of each potential indicator. Second, national and international ECD experts participated in two surveys to score, following a SMART approach, the expected performance of each nurturing care indicator. This information was used to develop analytical weights for each indicator. Third, informed by strengths and weaknesses pointed out in the previous steps, the IMAPI team reached consensus on 31 nurturing care indicators across the five components of nurturing care (Good health [n = 14], Adequate nutrition [4], Responsive caregiving [1], Opportunities for early learning [7] and Security and safety [4]). IMAPI represents the first attempt to select nurturing care indicators at the municipal level using data from existing routine information systems.

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Related links:
• Nurturing care indicators for the Brazilian Early Childhood Friendly Municipal Index (IMAPI)
• IMAPI website
• Sociodemographic inequities in nurturing care for early childhood development across Brazilian municipalities

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Authors: Gabriela Buccini, Jéssica Pedroso, Stefanie Coelho, Gabriel Ferreira de Castro, Juracy Bertoldo, Alberto Sironi, Joao Gondim, Sonia Isoyama Venancio, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Marcos Ennes Barreto, Muriel Bauermann Gubert
Year: 2021
Language: English
Web link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.13155