The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) conducted a review of Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) in 24 USAID priority countries to examine the availability of data elements related to key lifesaving interventions and health outcomes. The review aimed to assess the extent to which HMIS data are electronically available, particularly in the online District Health Information System (DHIS2) adopted by many countries.
The survey was conducted from January to May 2015, and 35 respondents from 22 countries responded to the survey. The respondents included in-country MNCH experts, Ministry of Health officials, and recognized experts in the field. The survey questions covered both open-ended opinion questions about data quality and challenges, as well as questions regarding systems in use and availability of data elements related to MNCH in-country.
The findings of the survey indicate that the availability of data elements related to MNCH indicators in electronic format varies across countries. In some countries, data elements are available in electronic format, while in others, they are not. The survey also found that the quality of HMIS data is a concern, with many respondents reporting difficulties in deriving some of the globally recommended indicators from national systems.
The review identified several challenges in the availability and quality of HMIS data, including a lack of standardization, limited data management capacity, and inadequate infrastructure. The survey also highlighted the need for improved data management practices, including the use of electronic data management systems and the development of standardized data collection tools.
The MCSP team conducted a thematic analysis of the survey responses, using descriptive statistics, tables, and illustrative figures to summarize the findings. In cases where there were differing responses from informants for the same country, the team sent queries back to the country to try to obtain a consensus answer.
The review provides insights into the current state of HMIS data availability and quality in 24 USAID priority countries. The findings highlight the need for improved data management practices and the development of standardized data collection tools to support the tracking of national targets and the monitoring of health outcomes. The review also underscores the importance of investing in the capacity of in-country MNCH experts and Ministry of Health officials to manage and analyze HMIS data effectively.
The survey results are presented in a series of tables and figures, which provide a detailed overview of the availability and quality of HMIS data in each country. The review also includes a discussion of the implications of the findings and recommendations for improving HMIS data management practices in the 24 USAID priority countries.
The review was conducted by a team from the MCSP, which included experts from various organizations, including Jhpiego, Save the Children, ICF International, and Johns Hopkins University. The team used a survey application to collect data from in-country MNCH experts and Ministry of Health officials, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
The review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of HMIS data availability and quality in 24 USAID priority countries. The findings highlight the need for improved data management practices and the development of standardized data collection tools to support the tracking of national targets and the monitoring of health outcomes.