One of the major challenges faced by HIS in developing countries is the large amount of data being collected at lower levels of the data collec-tion chain by health workers in addition to what is perceived as their own “clinical” work In addition to often being untrained in the use of data collection tools (HIS Forms), being passed on genera-tion after generation of health work-ers, staff also have to battle language barriers (forms are often developed by expatriate data managers). Forms are rarely revised to suit changing data requirements or language needs, especially when forms are used by national staff at lower and peripheral level health facilities. Over time, global reporting require-ments have changed and with the monitoring of MDG’s, it is important for countries to reflect relevant indi-cators in their data collection tools. In the case of Vanuatu, at the health centers and dispensaries, a four page HIS form is currently filled-in by hand in triplicate; with the original copy for the health facility, one copy for the Provincial Office and one copy for the national Health Information Unit (HIU). In addition to the tally sheet with 235 data fields, the monthly reporting form used for reporting data to higher levels has approxi-mately 560 data fields. The form was developed in English/French. However Bislama, the official

national language, is the predomi-nant language used at health centers, dispensaries and aid posts. Question-naires have shown that health staff at these facilities prefer the forms to be in Bislama, even though some medical terms cannot be translated and are used as-is. Keeping these issues in mind, along with key reporting requirements of developments partners like WHO, SPC, UNICEF, UNFPA, AusAID and their Vanuatu Joint Partners Working Group (JPWG), the indicators in the Vanuatu National Health Sector Strategy (2010-2016), Performance Assessment Framework (PAF), Prior-ity Action Agenda (PAA) and MDG’s; the existing 4 page (A4 size) form, has been revised to a 2 page (A3 size) form written in the local language of Bislama. The form will be printed into a triplicate, self-carbon paper book-let with explanation of terms in French and English on both inside-cover pages. AusAID has kindly agreed to fund the printing of these booklets and one will be printed for each health cen-tre/dispensary for a two-year period. The booklet will ensure that the mas-ter copy is not lost at the health facil-ity itself, as loose pages tend to be misplaced easily. By this one effort, the reporting bur-den on nurses has reduced by 66.6 % (only one set to be handwritten and the others will be replicated auto-matically). Data cells to be filled have reduced from 560 to 423, another

reduction of 137 data cells. Key stakeholders were consulted in one-to-one meetings, workshops or surveys using a structured question-naire. Stakeholders included individ-ual Program Units within the Ministry of Health, Vila Central Hospital Staff, field staff like nurse and nurse aids, Village Health Workers, Directors of Public Health as well as the Corpo-rate Unit within the MoH, develop-ment partners in the field of health in Vanuatu, the HIS Task Force consist-ing of inter alia, members from Civil Registration Office (CRO), National Statistics Office (NSO), Prime Minis-ter’s office (PMO) and the Ministry of Health. The newly revised HIS form was cleared with appreciation by the HIS Task force and is now ready to be approved by the highest governing body in the Ministry of Health on 02 Oct 2012. Author: Ms. Bindu Varghese, HIS Ad-visor to Ministry of Health in Vanu-atu. In consultation with Mr. Jeffrey Tila, HIS Manager, MoH Vanuatu For more information, please contact Jeffrey on jtlangati@vanuatu.gov.vu

Pacific Health Information Network www.phinnetwork.org

Volume 2, Issue 2

October 2012

Vanuatu: Revising HIS monthly reporting

Date saver! February/March 2013

HIS Leadership Forum and PHIN meeting

More details coming soon

PHIN Newsletter October 2012

In recent years, data quality has become an important issue, not only because of its importance in promoting high standards of pa-tient care, but also because its impact on government budgets for the maintenance of health services. The purpose of this booklet, developed by WPRO, is to provide a set of guidelines to enable health care workers, health information managers and administrators at all levels to focus on improving the timeliness, accuracy and reliability of health care data. These guidelines have been designed to address all areas in health care where data are collected and information generated. The guidelines describe the activities that should be considered when addressing the question of data quality in health care, regardless of the setting. The reader is guided to assess and, where necessary, improve the quality of data generated in the environment within which they func-tion, regardless of size, remoteness or sophistication. The guidelines are aimed at government policymakers and health care ad-ministrators at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care, as well as doctors, nurses, other health care providers and health information managers. All of these share responsibility for the documentation, imple-mentation, development and management of health information services.

The Pacific CHIP Team, at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland,

need your help!!

Improving maternal and child health is a priority for Pacific Governments, policy makers, global health and donor organisations. Following on from the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, the United Nations Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health has developed a framework for monitoring and re-porting on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) pro-gress, outcomes and investment. This includes de-veloping a core set of indicators to measure MCH and improving health information and vital statis-tics. The Pacific CHIP “Keeping Promises, Measuring re-sults” project will review the appropriateness and functionality of the 11 Core MCH indicators for the Pacific region. Some indicators may lack relevance in the Pacific context given persisting data gaps and

health profiles at variance with other regions in the world. The Pacific CHIP team will look at available data sources for the 11 core indicators and the relevance and functionality of those indicators for the Pacific. After review and consultation with expert infor-mants, a framework of MCH indicators for the Pa-cific will be developed which builds on Global indi-cators with recommended modifications or addi-tions and the steps in HIS or policy needed to achieve this. The CHIP team are seeking assistance from PHIN members about common data issues and the types of data currently being captured for maternal and child health. For more information, please contact Lani Stowers on lani.stowers@cmdhb.org.nz Additional information is also available at, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacific-Health-Information-Network/182665108473099

Maternal and child health indicators for the Pacific

Improving data quality: A guide for developing countries

Available for download at www.phinnetwork.org