Using routine health data and intermittent community surveys to assess the impact of maternal and neonatal health interventions in low-income countries: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
There is a need to provide increased evidence on effective interventions to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).


OBJECTIVE
To summarize the breadth of knowledge on using routine data (Routine Health Information Systems [RHIS] and Intermittent Community Surveys [ICS]) for well-designed maternal and neonatal health evaluations in LMICs.


METHODS
We searched reports and articles published in Embase, Medline, and Google scholar. Selection criteria Studies were considered for inclusion if they were carried out in LMICs, using RHIS or ICS data with experimental or quasi-experimental design.


METHODS
A form was used to collect information on indicators used for interventions' impact assessment. Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analyses were then performed.


RESULTS
Of the 1201 publications identified, 46 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of these were using RHIS data (n=40), mainly extracted from health facility registers (n=34), and non-controlled before and after design (n=30). The indicators, which were mostly reported, were related to the use of healthcare services (n=36) and maternal/neonatal health outcomes (n=31). Few studies used ICS data (n=6) or indicators of severity (n=2).


CONCLUSIONS
RHIS and ICS data should be increasingly used for impact studies on maternal and neonatal health in LMICs.
Research Institute for Development, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France. Electronic address: ines.dossa@gmail.com.
Nissou I
NI
Dossa
Research Institute for Development, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Well-being, Health, Society and Environment (CINBIOSE), Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
Aline
A
Philibert
Research Institute for Development, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
Alexandre
A
Dumont
D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy
Community survey; Impact evaluation; LMICs; Maternal health; Neonatal health; Routine data