1. Using routine health information data for research in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
- Author
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Klesta Hoxha, Karen A. Grépin, Michael R. Law, Bridget R Irwin, and Yuen W. Hung
- Subjects
Program evaluation ,Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Biomedical Research ,Maternal Health ,030231 tropical medicine ,Global Health ,Health informatics ,Health administration ,EconLit ,03 medical and health sciences ,Health Information Systems ,0302 clinical medicine ,Environmental health ,Medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Child ,Policy Making ,Developing Countries ,Routine health information systems ,Low- and middle-income countries ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public health ,Nursing research ,lcsh:Public aspects of medicine ,Child Health ,lcsh:RA1-1270 ,Health Services ,Malaria ,Health Planning ,Data extraction ,Data quality ,Systematic review ,Female ,business ,Epidemiologic Methods ,Research Article - Abstract
Background Routine health information systems (RHISs) support resource allocation and management decisions at all levels of the health system, as well as strategy development and policy-making in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although RHIS data represent a rich source of information, such data are currently underused for research purposes, largely due to concerns over data quality. Given that substantial investments have been made in strengthening RHISs in LMICs in recent years, and that there is a growing demand for more real-time data from researchers, this systematic review builds upon the existing literature to summarize the extent to which RHIS data have been used in peer-reviewed research publications. Methods Using terms ‘routine health information system’, ‘health information system’, or ‘health management information system’ and a list of LMICs, four electronic peer-review literature databases were searched from inception to February 202,019: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and EconLit. Articles were assessed for inclusion based on pre-determined eligibility criteria and study characteristics were extracted from included articles using a piloted data extraction form. Results We identified 132 studies that met our inclusion criteria, originating in 37 different countries. Overall, the majority of the studies identified were from Sub-Saharan Africa and were published within the last 5 years. Malaria and maternal health were the most commonly studied health conditions, although a number of other health conditions and health services were also explored. Conclusions Our study identified an increasing use of RHIS data for research purposes, with many studies applying rigorous study designs and analytic methods to advance program evaluation, monitoring and assessing services, and epidemiological studies in LMICs. RHIS data represent an underused source of data and should be made more available and further embraced by the research community in LMIC health systems.
- Published
- 2020