Using routine health information data for research in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

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 middleincome 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 predetermined 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.

Assessing trauma care systems in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and evidence synthesis mapping the Three Delays framework to injury health system assessments

“… 198 Although pragmatic use of routine health information is growing, it remains a small part of the overall LMIC health system evaluation literature. 199 We found only some evidence of significant harnessing of technology for trauma system evaluation. While health technology availability is inversely related to health need, 200 improving access to information technology is a widely recognised strategy to augment global health research capacity.…”

Data utilisation and factors influencing the performance of the health management information system in Tanzania

“…Studies elsewhere have reported that data generated by health facilities are most often not sufficiently utilised to improve health care [24][25][26]. Generally, in Sub-Saharan Africa, health information utilisation at primary health care and the district is poor [22].…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on the utilisation of health services in public facilities during the first wave in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

“…28 Data from routine health information systems (RHIS) are now widely available in LMICs and have been used to conduct similar analyses during other infectious disease outbreaks. 29 17 30 In this study, we use RHIS data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and its related response measures on the use of health services in Kinshasa during the first wave of the pandemic (March to September) to provide insights to inform the ongoing response and future infectious disease outbreaks.…”