Routine Family Planning Data in the Low- and Middle-Income Country Context: A Synthesis of Findings From 17 Small Research Grants.

Bridgit Adamou,Amani Selim,Katie Williams,Janine Barden-O’Fallon

doi:10.9745/ghsp-d-20-00122

Abstract

Health information systems rely on high-quality data to measure, track, and inform decision making. Currently, the quality, uptake, and use of family planning data in routine health information systems is limited, presenting an opportunity for improvement on many levels. The current synthesis assessed findings from 17 small grants that MEASURE Evaluation issued to low- and middle-income country research teams between 2015 and 2019. Main findings from that research were collaboratively categorized in 4 major themes: (1) the enabling environment for managing and using family planning information; (2) barriers to integration of family planning in routine health information systems; (3) gaps in the analysis, interpretation, and use of routine family planning data; and (4) family planning data use in management, programmatic, and budgetary decisions. Data quality at the systemic, organizational, technical, and output levels was a crosscutting theme. Collectively, the findings outline barriers to and opportunities for improved integration of family planning data and subsequent strengthening of routine health information systems.

Highlights

The provision of health care services and information about their quality and quantity are critical components of a health system
A key component of an health information systems (HIS) is a routine health information system (RHIS), fundamentally composed of indicators to track management information needs and data collection, transmission, processing, and analysis, which should all lead to information use.[3]
In 2014, MEASURE Evaluation implemented a program funded by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Population and Reproductive Health that provided small grants for research related to the collection, analysis, and use of routine family planning data in 24 priority countries

Summary

Introduction

The provision of health care services and information about their quality and quantity are critical components of a health system. These components must function together to strengthen service delivery programs and improve population health. Countries use health information systems (HIS) to measure and track health services, allowing them to plan, evaluate, and implement health strategies.[1] An efficient HIS draws from multiple levels of the health system, using clearly defined indicators, up-to-date standards and guidelines, accessible data collection and analysis tools, and stakeholder collaboration and support to enable evidenceinformed decision making.[2] A key component of an HIS is a routine health information system (RHIS), fundamentally composed of indicators to track management information needs and data collection, transmission, processing, and analysis, which should all lead to information use.[3] Data from RHISs include service statistics, management and logistics data, and financial data, and provide information on client health status, facility and budgetary capacity, and services and resources

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Discussion

Conclusion