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. 2020 Aug 25;20(1):790.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05660-1.

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

Yuen W Hung  1 , Klesta Hoxha  1 , Bridget R Irwin  2 , Michael R Law  3 , Karen A Grépin  4
Affiliations

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

Yuen W Hung et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

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.

Keywords: Low- and middle-income countries; Routine health information systems; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart of study identification and screening process of publications use RHIS data
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Types of service and research purpose of RHIS data use (n = 132)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of impact factor of journals that published research studies that conducted statistical analysis of RHIS data (n = 68)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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