How Mode of Birth Affects Data Collection in Bangladesh and Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Harriet Ruysen, Tamanna Majid, Donat Shamba, Shema Mhajabin, Jacqueline Minja, Ahmed E. Rahman, Titus Ngopi, Mary Ramesh, Shams El Arifeen, Rosie Steege, Janet Seeley, Joy E. Lawn, Louise T. Day
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
How and why does mode of birth affect processes for routine data collection and use?
Conclusion
Mode of birth influenced processes for routine data collection and use because it affected where, what, when, and by whom data were recorded.
Supporting Evidence
- Mode of birth affected RHIS data as one part in a multidimensional system.
- Health professionals felt overwhelmed by duplicative data tasks and competing clinical care responsibilities.
- Standardised registers were available in the labour wards, but not in all operating theatres.
- Health professionals perceived electronic data systems to increase duplication.
- Data flow and registers differed by mode of birth with potential RHIS data gaps for caesareans.
Takeaway
This study found that whether a baby is born vaginally or by caesarean section changes how health workers collect and use data about the birth, which can lead to missing information.
Methodology
Qualitative research using in-depth interviews with health and data professionals in Bangladesh and Tanzania.
Potential Biases
Potential for participant recognition through indirect identifiers due to the qualitative nature of the data.
Limitations
The study focused only on public health settings and did not include service-users' perspectives.
Participant Demographics
Participants included health professionals, managers, and leaders from various levels of the healthcare systems in Bangladesh and Tanzania, with a mix of genders and experience levels.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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