scholarly journals Mental health information systems in resource-challenged countries: experiences from India

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Ahuja ◽  
Rahul Shidhaye ◽  
Maya Semrau ◽  
Graham Thornicroft ◽  
Mark Jordans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mental Health Information ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Mental health information systems are increasingly being used to measure the effectiveness of mental health interventions. Little or no data is available for mental health service availability and service uptake in low- and middle-income countries. Through a narrative review, this paper illustrates the importance of routine monitoring data and suggests methods for developing, implementing and evaluating mental health indicators in low- and middle-income countries with a primary focus on India.

Understanding the challenges associated with the use of data from routine health information systems in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 183335832092872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klesta Hoxha ◽  
Yuen W Hung ◽  
Bridget R Irwin ◽  
Karen A Grépin
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Data Process ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: Routine health information systems (RHISs) are crucial to informing decision-making at all levels of the health system. However, the use of RHIS data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited due to concerns regarding quality, accuracy, timeliness, completeness and representativeness. Objective: This study systematically reviewed technical, behavioural and organisational/environmental challenges that hinder the use of RHIS data in LMICs and strategies implemented to overcome these challenges. Method: Four electronic databases were searched for studies describing challenges associated with the use of RHIS data and/or strategies implemented to circumvent these challenges in LMICs. Identified articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Results: Sixty studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, 55 of which described challenges in using RHIS data and 20 of which focused on strategies to address these challenges. Identified challenges and strategies were organised by their technical, behavioural and organisational/environmental determinants and by the core steps of the data process. Organisational/environmental challenges were the most commonly reported barriers to data use, while technical challenges were the most commonly addressed with strategies. Conclusion: Despite the known benefits of RHIS data for health system strengthening, numerous challenges continue to impede their use in practice. Implications: Additional research is needed to identify effective strategies for addressing the determinants of RHIS use, particularly given the disconnect identified between the type of challenge most commonly described in the literature and the type of challenge most commonly targeted for interventions.

scholarly journals Using routine health information systems for well-designed health evaluations in low- and middle-income countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley H Wagenaar ◽  
Kenneth Sherr ◽  
Quinhas Fernandes ◽  
Alexander C Wagenaar
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income
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