Transforming Maternal Mortality Data into Actionable Insights: A Case Study from Sierra Leone, 2024

Abstract Background: Sierra Leone has made tremendous progress in reducing maternal mortality since establishing the Maternal Deaths Surveillance and Response (MDSR) in 2016. Despite the gains made in the reduction of maternal mortality in the country, the availability of credible data and its use for evidence-based interventions remained a major challenge. To address these gaps, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with funding and technical support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Data for Health Initiative and technical support from Vital Strategies and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), implemented a project aimed at identifying and addressing maternal health services inequalities in maternal health services in Sierra Leone. Methods: We conducted a consultative meeting, reviewed, and updated existing data collection tools and standard operating procedure (SOP). We updated the electronic data management system developed on District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) with the updated data collection tools and developed training materials for data capture, analysis, visualization, and troubleshooting. We also conducted training for health workers on mid and high-level data management and analysis. Finally, we supported the development of an MDSR interactive dashboard for real-time data visualization. Results: This project supported the Ministry of Health in developing and revising six maternal mortality data collection and reporting tools, SOPs. We also built the capacity of 25 staff on electronic maternal mortality data management and analysis at the national and district levels using DHIS2. This project also led to the migration of maternal mortality data reporting from Microsoft Excel to an electronic case-based disease surveillance system in the DHIS2 platform, providing real-time data for decision-making. The dashboard, based on key maternal mortality indicators, supported the monitoring of district and national performance. The quality of maternal mortality data has improved. The project also added SMS notifications for each maternal death reported into the eCBDS system. Conclusion: This project improved the quality of maternal mortality data, enhanced the knowledge and skills of health workers at the national and district levels on electronic data management and use, migrated reporting from paper to electronic reporting, and developed an interactive dashboard for real-time data monitoring, access, and use.