The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #51043

Tariq Azim, MBBS, DCM, Chief Technical Advisor, WHP, SMEC, 3 Aga Khan Road, Sector F 6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan, 0092-51-2828316, syed_azimus@yahoo.com

The Urban Family Health Partnership supports 25 NGOs to provide high quality high impact health and family planning services in over 84 urban municipalities in Bangladesh. An important sustainability strategy is the development of NGO capacity to use data for identifying problems, making decisions, and monitoring progress. To facilitate and promote use of performance data by NGO managers, the project introduced key aspects into the design of the Routine Health Information System (RHIS). These measures included: a computer program to analyze selected indicators (using routine data and census data) and materials and training to focus problem solving strategies, improve quality, and reduce financial viability. Following a few years of implementation, staff became motivated to maintain the RHIS and use information at every level of the system. Initial limitations included: validation and recording problems, and lack of capacity among managers to use data for decision-making. Weaknesses were addressed with modification of the data collection procedure and introduction of a form to capture relevant demographic, utilization and revenue data. A computer program extracted data from the RHIS and presented it in a format that supported problem identification in clinic utilization, efficiency, quality of care, and financial viability. Most importantly, analysis was fed back quarterly to managers who were trained to interpret data and make informed decisions. Consequently, data quality improved as did program performance in child immunization and other services. Helping clinic staff, managers and policy makers understand RHIS information is crucial to making the RHIS an effective monitoring and decision-making tool.

Learning Objectives:

After this session participants will
• understand the role of data users in the design of routine health information systems;
• be able to name three possible strategies to improve data use among health managers and providers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.