O J Gadabu1, A Ben-Smith1,2, G P Douglas2, K Chirwa-Nasasara1, R C Manjomo1, A D Harries3,4, I Dambula5, S Kang'oma6, T Chiumia6, F B Chinsinga6. 1. Baobab Health Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi. 2. Center for Health Informatics for the Underserved, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France. 4. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK. 5. Central Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi. 6. National Registration Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Abstract
Setting: Eighty-three villages without electricity in Mtema Traditional Authority, Lilongwe District, Malawi. Objectives: To describe 1) the expansion of the electronic village register (EVR) to 83 villages in Mtema Traditional Authority, 2) the challenges encountered and changes made to render the system robust and user-friendly, 3) the value propositions developed to increase the system's desirability, and 4) the results of the village register. Design: Descriptive study. Results: After the deployment of the EVR in one village in 2013, the system was extended to 83 villages with modifications to render it more robust and user-friendly. These changes included modifications to the power, connectivity and work stations, better battery security and a single modular electronics panel. Value propositions of the EVR for the village headmen included daily postings of news/sports items and sockets for charging mobile phones and lanterns. Of the 47 559 residents registered, 48% were male, 14% were aged 0-4 years, 43% were aged 15-44 years and 4% were aged ⩾65 years. Between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017, 976 births and 177 deaths were recorded. The total equipment cost per village was US$2430. Conclusion: An electronic village birth and death registration system can function in an area with no communication or electricity infrastructure.
Setting: Eighty-three villages without electricity in Mtema Traditional Authority, Lilongwe District, Malawi. Objectives: To describe 1) the expansion of the electronic village register (EVR) to 83 villages in Mtema Traditional Authority, 2) the challenges encountered and changes made to render the system robust and user-friendly, 3) the value propositions developed to increase the system's desirability, and 4) the results of the village register. Design: Descriptive study. Results: After the deployment of the EVR in one village in 2013, the system was extended to 83 villages with modifications to render it more robust and user-friendly. These changes included modifications to the power, connectivity and work stations, better battery security and a single modular electronics panel. Value propositions of the EVR for the village headmen included daily postings of news/sports items and sockets for charging mobile phones and lanterns. Of the 47 559 residents registered, 48% were male, 14% were aged 0-4 years, 43% were aged 15-44 years and 4% were aged ⩾65 years. Between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017, 976 births and 177 deaths were recorded. The total equipment cost per village was US$2430. Conclusion: An electronic village birth and death registration system can function in an area with no communication or electricity infrastructure.
Entities:
Keywords:
Baobab Health Trust; EVR; Malawi; births; deaths
Authors: O J Gadabu; R C Manjomo; S G Mwakilama; G P Douglas; A D Harries; C Moyo; L D Makonokaya; S Kang'oma; P Chitedze; F B Chinsinga Journal: Public Health Action Date: 2014-09-21
Authors: E Singogo; E Kanike; M van Lettow; F Cataldo; R Zachariah; K Bissell; A D Harries Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2013-05-30 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: Gerald P Douglas; Oliver J Gadabu; Sabine Joukes; Soyapi Mumba; Michael V McKay; Anne Ben-Smith; Andreas Jahn; Erik J Schouten; Zach Landis Lewis; Joep J van Oosterhout; Theresa J Allain; Rony Zachariah; Selma D Berger; Anthony D Harries; Frank Chimbwandira Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2010-08-10 Impact factor: 11.069
Authors: Kathleen A Alexander; Claire E Sanderson; Madav Marathe; Bryan L Lewis; Caitlin M Rivers; Jeffrey Shaman; John M Drake; Eric Lofgren; Virginia M Dato; Marisa C Eisenberg; Stephen Eubank Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2015-06-04
Authors: Chimango V T Munthali; Sophie Kang'oma; Khazgani Nasasara; Lindiwe M Zaina; Chawanangwa Lupafya; Jacob Mziya; Anthony D Harries; Kudakwashe C Takarinda; Martha Kwataine; Isaac Dambula; Simeon Yosefe Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2018-09-04
Authors: Beatrix von Wissmann; Elizabeth Wastnedge; Donald Waters; Luis A Gadama; Queen Dube; Clemens Masesa; Elizabeth Chodzaza; Sarah Jane Stock; Rebecca M Reynolds; John Norrie; Enita Makwakwa; Bridget Freyne; Harry Campbell; Jane E Norman; Rachael Wood Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-11-24 Impact factor: 2.692