Alright, I'm gonna ask. What's up with the MANA study?

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I feel like I've read about the MANA research many times while re-researching homebirth for my second birth.  I just read it again and thought I'd just ask once and for all.  :-)  What is the deal with this MANA study?  Why are there people out there casting suspicion about the reasons the results haven't been published?  When will they be published?  

ETA:  I mean this data that is supposed to be complete, compiled and etc. and that is not public/published.  

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I thought of some more questions.  I guess it's called the "MANA Statistics Project".   From their site it seems as if they contributed some statistics to a study in 2005.  At this point I am not sure if all the other information I've read about it is from reliable sources.  For instance Dr. Amy T. has a lot to say on the subject but I don't want that to be my original source for information, yk?  Unfortunately, there isn't much information available on line...unless I'm looking in the wrong places. 

Does anyone have any information about it?  

[Thursday Girl]

I'd be interested to hear more about this as well.

[prothyraia]

[junebugmidwife]

I was just at the MANA conference last week, so here's what I think the story is:  My understanding is that it's in raw form.  They will release data to someone with a research proposal for that purpose.  So far they have not had the human power to compile and publish outcome data, but the plan is to do so in the relatively near future, and then do so annually in the interest of transparency.

I don't think they are trying to be difficult to work with, and it sounds like many organizations that compile health statistics do the same thing.  We all know that stats can be manipulated by those who have an agenda, and I think they're trying to protect against that by only allowing individuals with a research plan to access the data at this time.  I think they said so far only one person had requested it, and was granted access for her Master's in Public Health project, and they have a few other applications pending.

HTH!

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Thanks for posting, Junebgmidwife!!   

Originally Posted by junebugmidwife 

I was just at the MANA conference last week, so here's what I think the story is:  My understanding is that it's in raw form.  They will release data to someone with a research proposal for that purpose.  So far they have not had the human power to compile and publish outcome data, but the plan is to do so in the relatively near future, and then do so annually in the interest of transparency.

That sounds good!  I am looking forward to being able to read the data myself.  

Originally Posted by junebugmidwife 

I don't think they are trying to be difficult to work with, and it sounds like many organizations that compile health statistics do the same thing.  

That all sounds reasonable.  I wonder if MANA had released at statement stating as much.  I think considering how vocal some anti-HB folks are it would be a good idea if they haven't already done so.  

Unfortunately, as understandable as it may be to allow the raw data to people with a research plan (and presumably credentials that demonstrate that they are able to make good use of raw data), I can see how easily it is to cast suspicion about that.  Combine that with no official word from MANA along with their laborious (and expensive!) application to view their data, the public information about the study from their website, which does not inspire trust (imo), I'm not surprised at all that so many people are talking about this.  

Thanks to you for shedding a little light on the subject.  

Do you happen to know if MANA originally had a pubic plan for this data/study?  It seems like some people out there are kind of expecting the information.  Do you think this is just because MANA initiated a study intended for private use that people found out about or was the study publicized, or are studies ethically bound in some way to public knowledge once they have been taken?  

I guess I'm trying to understand how reasonable it is to expect this information and in what time frame.  I, personally, have no idea whether studies are often done for private information, whether it is considered ethical to share or NOT share information, what is a reasonable turn around and etc.  

I am accustomed to being able to find both sides to most issues about homebirth.  I love that I can see a mainstream breakdown of an issue AND a more progresseve or even "pro-HB" side of an issue when I search online.  It is somewhat unusual to have such a one-sided accusation about issues facing HB without seeing a reasonable response from the HB community as a whole.  

[KmAndrews]

. . .

Edited by KmAndrews - 1/2/12 at 4:47pm

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Does anyone know if there have been any updates?