Understanding the measurement of aggregate performance of primary health care systems in Malawi
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Date
2021-03-29
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of research study: Qualitative exploratory study
The problem: The importance of data for appraising PHC performance and use for evidence
based decision making cannot be over emphasized. The use of data requires that we fully
appreciate the process through which policy or program decisions makers aggregate,
synthesize and use the available data. However, in principle, primary health care (PHC)
appraisal and decision making based on data is limited.
The objectives: The study aims to assess the ways in which the PHC policy makers collect
and use data for performance management at the District and National level. The specific
objectives of the study are as follows:
1. To describe the processes and tools through which PHC policy makers use to collect,
analyse and utilize data for PHC performance.
2. To understand facilitators and barriers in the use of data for assessing PHC system
performance management at district and national levels.
3. To explore people’s awareness and understanding of data management process
4. To develop recommendations for data management process in Malawi
Methodology: The study will employ the key informant interviews to answer the specific
objectives of this study. Data will be collected at three levels: health centres, district hospitals
and each zone in Malawi. Service providers and decision makers will be purposively selected
for the key informant interviews. One district from each zone will be selected for data
collection through simple random sampling. At each selected district, three health centres will
be conveniently sampled for data collection.
Expected findings: The study is expected to unearth the salient processes and tools involved
in data collection, synthesis and use for appraisal and decision making in PHC. The study is
further anticipated to uncover contextual barriers and facilitators in the data use cycle. The
information has potential to inform strategies laid in the national health information policy on
improvement of data use
Dissemination: Results will be disseminated through presentation of study findings to
various institutions such as the district health offices, Ministry of Health, COM library,
COMREC and other interested organizations.
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Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE