Consultative meeting that examined alignment and discrepancies between health facility and household survey data in Malawi

• Main Authors: Katherine E. Battle, Austin Gumbo, Gracious Hamuza, Collins Kwizombe, Akuzike Tauzi Banda, Steven Chipeta, Mphatso D. Phiri, Blessings Kamanga, Jacob Kawonga, Taonga Mafuleka, Ashley Malpass, Phinias Mfune, Mathews Mhango, Lumbani Munthali, Godfrey Silungwe, Memory Siwombo, Haroon Twalibu, Allison Zakaliya, Michael Kayange, Cameron Taylor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019-12-01
• Series: Malaria Journal
• Subjects: Malawi; The DHS program; Malaria Indicator Survey; DHIS2; Health Management Information System; Malaria Strategic Plan
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-3050-1
• ISSN: 1475-2875

Abstract Malawi is midway through its current Malaria Strategic Plan 2017–2022, which aims to reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 50% by 2022. Malariometric data are available with health surveillance data housed in District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) and household survey data from two recent Malaria Indicator Surveys (MIS) and a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Strengths and weaknesses of the data were discussed during a consultative meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi in July 2019. The first 3 days included in-depth exploration and analysis of surveillance and survey data by 13 participants from the National Malaria Control Programme, district health offices, and partner organizations. Key indicators derived from both DHIS2 and MIS/DHS sources were analysed with three case studies, and presented to stakeholders on the fourth day of the meeting. Applications of the findings to programmatic decision-making and strategic plan evaluation were critiqued and discussed.