Description of Session
MEASURE Evaluation’s technical assistance to Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health in strengthening its routine health information systems (RHIS) began in 2018. In September 2018, MEASURE conducted a Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) assessment to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, as well as programmatic needs and challenges, of Burkina's health system. The survey targeted all levels of the health pyramid using the six revised PRISM tools developed by MEASURE Evaluation. The customized assessment was one of the first of its kind in both the sampling choices (focusing on all levels but in only one region) as well as the combinations in the uses of the tools. The evaluation was conducted in all central, regional, and district levels units of the Center-South region (MEASURE Evaluation’s zone of intervention). Stratified random sampling was used to select 16 health facilities in each of the Center South region’s four districts. Data collection methods included desk reviews, observations, interviews, and data abstraction from primary data collection and reporting tools, and RHIS databases. To check for trends in data quality, three periods were set and four indicators selected for data accuracy checks. The questionnaires were configured into an Open Data Kit platform serving as a data entry platform on Android tablets. Data were then analyzed with the PRISM Analysis Tool based on the PRISM analysis plan previously developed by MEASURE. The data analysis provides results on the performance of the RHIS in terms of quality of data (timeliness, accuracy, and completeness) and level of use of information for decision making. These results are presented by level of the health pyramid to facilitate follow-up actions. In addition, key technical, organizational, and behavioral determinants influencing the overall RHIS performance are ascertained to allow for full comprehension of the results.
