The frequency of update cycles depends on several factors, among which are cost considerations
and event tracking. The shorter the duration of the update cycles, the better in terms of tracking
certain vital events such as neonatal deaths. However, short frequency cycles have the
disadvantage of overwhelming the whole operational machinery, including updates of the data, and
increased cost. The ideal frequency cycle is three or four times a year in order to allow reasonable
ability to track pregnancies and their outcomes, but three times a year is adequate for most
practical purposes. Any less frequent updating will be problematic in areas where accurate
neonatal and infant mortality rates are important. Sites tracking morbidity in addition to mortality
may need to update more frequently than every 3 months, and preferably every 0.5 months, at least
on a sub- sample of the surveillance population.
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