LAM Indicators

LINKAGES has developed, field-tested, and collected a discrete set of LAM-related indicators that can be calculated using both survey data and service statistic data. These indicators are clearly defined and uniform. They simplify data needs and ensure that programs are not overwhelmed by data demands.

LAM rate (primary indicator): the LAM rate measures the proportion of eligible women who choose LAM as a method of birth spacing. However, in many programmatic settings (particularly family planning programs), using existing data will result in the use of the LAM user rate (see below).

Exclusive breastfeeding rate (EBR) (secondary indicator): full or nearly full breastfeeding is one of the three LAM criteria. Many programs promote LAM with exclusive breastfeeding messages that support both optimal infant health and correct LAM use. The EBR measures the impact of this promotion.

Other indicators:

• LAM user rate: this indicator measures the proportion of women of reproductive age who use LAM as a method of birth spacing. It underestimates LAM use because it includes in the denominator women who may not be eligible to use LAM (only women who have an infant less than 6 months old are truly eligible to use LAM).
• Appropriate LAM rate: as a further refinement to the LAM rate, the appropriate LAM rate captures whether a woman who self-reports using LAM actually meets the three LAM criteria. This indicator provides a check on the reliability of self-reported family planning use as well as program success in conveying the LAM messages.
• Model LAM rate: also as a further refinement to the LAM rate, the model LAM rate captures whether a woman who self-reports as using LAM actually meets the three LAM criteria. But the model LAM rate includes only those women who can also state or describe, unaided, the three criteria. This indicator also provides a check on the reliability of self-reported family planning use as well as program success in conveying the LAM messages.