This abstract has been accepted at the 2024 DHIS2 Annual Conference
Leveraging DHIS2 Tracker for Breakthroughs in Public Health Research: A Pioneering Approach to HIV and TB Surveillance in Nepal
DHIS2 has become a cornerstone for data collection and reporting in over 80 countries. This tool is pivotal in monitoring health program indicators, such as vaccination coverage, HIV testing/diagnosis, and tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes, aligning with national and global health strategies. However, traditional data reported through health management information systems often fall short in capturing the full scope of public health challenges, such as disease prevalence and incidence. This gap necessitates additional research and surveillance to generate generalizable evidence for effective health interventions. Historically, the aggregation of health data through DHIS2 has predominantly supported the monitoring of various health program indicators. However, challenges persist in utilizing routine health system data to fully comprehend the scope of public health issues, necessitating dedicated research and surveillance to generate actionable insights. In this context, DHIS2 Tracker’s role in collecting detailed, individual level data becomes invaluable, particularly for ensuring the representativeness and accuracy of health research findings. Our engagement with DHIS2 Tracker facilitated the design and execution of Nepal’s first studies on the prevalence of acquired HIV drug resistance among individuals on antiretroviral therapy and the first National Tuberculosis Patient Cost Survey. These studies not only underscored the Tracker’s capacity to streamline the methodological framework for national scale research projects but also highlighted its potential in overcoming traditional research barriers. Specifically, DHIS2 Tracker addresses challenges related to the development of sampling frames, data completeness, and the efficiency of selecting study sites and participants, thereby reducing both time and financial costs associated with public health research. Moreover, our experiences have identified a critical gap in the availability of comprehensive guidelines for employing DHIS2 Tracker in health facility based surveys and research. Recognizing this, we have initiated the development of several protocols to facilitate the creation of sampling frames and the random selection of health facilities and patients, integrating socio demographic data with biological and other newly collected data seamlessly. In conclusion, the adoption of DHIS2 Tracker in Nepal’s public health domain exemplifies a significant advancement in research methodologies, offering a cost effective and efficient approach to data collection and analysis. Our findings advocate for the development of standardized guidelines to optimize DHIS2 Tracker’s use in public health research globally. This initiative will not only enhance the quality of health research but also contribute to the achievement of global health targets and sustainable development goals, particularly in the eradication of TB and the management of HIV.
Primary Author: Keshab Deuba
Keywords:
DHIS2 Tracker; Public Health Research; Methodological Rigor; Cost-Effectiveness; HIV/TB Surveillance
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