The Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) with technical support from the USAID and its implementing partners developed and scaled up Electronic Management Information System (eMIS) to manage their service data recording and reporting digitally at the local level. The main purpose of this transformation from paper-based tools to digital solutions is to improve the availability of quality data for decision making while reducing the data-management-related workload of community workers and facility-based service providers.
Using a quasi-experimental design, this study aims to assess the anticipated effects of eMIS on providers, beneficiaries, and health systems in delivering Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) services in the community and facility levels.
This is a mixed-method study encompassing both the quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data will be collected through different methods – case observation, record review, exit interview, mock exercise, while qualitative data collection includes in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
The study will compare data between intervention and comparison areas. Intervention areas are where DGFP manages service delivery data using eMIS solutions, whereas in comparison areas it is paper-based.
Study participants are Family Welfare Assistant, Family Planning Inspector, Family Welfare Visitor, Upazila Family Planning Officer, and Deputy Director of Family Planning.
The study is expected to be completed by June 2022. Preliminary results will be disseminated in a small group followed by larger group dissemination later on.
We will publish a report on the study findings and different policy briefs (if required). A number of the original articles will also be published in peer-reviewed journal/s.
Note: I am one of the co-investigators in this project