Implementing the routine immunisation data module and dashboard of DHIS2 in Nigeria, 2014–2019

Abstract

In 2010, Nigeria adopted the use of web-based software District Health Information System, V.2 (DHIS2) as the platform for the National Health Management Information System. The platform supports real-time data reporting and promotes government ownership and accountability. To strengthen its routine immunisation (RI) component, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through its implementing partner, the African Field Epidemiology Network-National Stop Transmission of Polio, in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, developed the RI module and dashboard and piloted it in Kano state in 2014. The module was scaled up nationally over the next 4 years with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and CDC. One implementation officer was deployed per state for 2 years to support operations. Over 60 000 RI healthcare workers were trained on data collection, entry and interpretation and each local immunisation officer in the 774 local government areas (LGAs) received a laptop and stock of RI paper data tools. Templates for national-level and state-level RI bulletins and LGA quarterly performance tools were developed to promote real-time data use for feedback and decision making, and enhance the performance of RI services. By December 2017, the DHIS2 RI module had been rolled out in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and all states now report their RI data through the RI Module. All states identified at least one government DHIS2 focal person for oversight of the system’s reporting and management operations. Government officials routinely collect RI data and use them to improve RI vaccination coverage. This article describes the implementation process—including planning and implementation activities, achievements, lessons learnt, challenges and innovative solutions—and reports the achievements in improving timeliness and completeness rates.

The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation

“…124 , 129 A major barrier to implementing DHIS2 software at the LGA level (ie, LGA health department office) and State Health Management Information System office level is a shortage of or absence of functional computers, internet connectivity, and budget support by states and local governments. 174 , 176 Private hospitals and federal public hospitals, which as noted in panel 4 are not currently uploading data to DHIS2, tend to have functional computers and internet connections (even if only in the offices of senior personnel), 122 , 177 and equipment which tend to be lacking in state level hospitals and PHC facilities. 177 Further work to improve the completeness and quality of data in DHIS2 is needed.…”

Challenges of vaccination information system implementation: A systematic literature review

“…The challenges and issues related to the usability of VIS have been successfully identified in the selected studies, which include user difficulties in operating the VIS, 49 , 51 , 56 suboptimal access to VIS, with some VIS not accepting adult vaccination records, 40 , 49 , 59 a lack of active support from developers to continuously improve the quality of VIS, 43 the inability of VIS to adapt to different user information needs, 50 the inability of VIS to input old vaccination data previously carried out, 14 the inability of VIS to produce required vaccination reports, 14 the inability of VIS to track vaccine accountability, 65 the separate operation of VIS from other health care systems, providing an unsatisfactory experience, 42 , 60 manual data input processes without providing automatic mechanisms, 53 , 55 slow and sometimes unusable web interfaces, 53 , 66 and the failure of VIS to perform a certain function. 56 …”

Building a national framework for multicentre research and clinical trials: experience from the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance

“…The EMRs also interact seamlessly with many data platforms like the National Data Repository (NDR), which was established in 2014 as a national database of all PLWH who are receiving treatment across the 36 states in Nigeria 18. Other EMR-accessible data platforms include the District Health Information Software,47 a real-time data reporting and aggregation platform; the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS),48 a national portal for rapid review of lab results; and the Nigeria orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) Management Information System,49 a user-friendly software for OVC programming.…”