Information management in Iranian Maternal Mortality Surveillance System

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal mortality is preventable by proper information management and is the main target of the Maternal Mortality Surveillance System (MMSS).AimThis study aimed to determine the status of information management in the Iranian Maternal Mortality Surveillance System (IMMSS).MethodsThe population of this descriptive and analytical study, which was conducted in 2016, included 96 administrative staff of health and treatment deputies of universities of medical sciences and the Ministry of Health in Iran. Data were gathered by a five-part questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. A total of 76 questionnaires were completed, and data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 19, by descriptive and inferential statistics. The relationship between variables “organizational unit” and the four studied axes was studied using Kendall’s correlation coefficient test.ResultsThe status of information management in IMMSS was desirable. Data gathering and storage axis and data processing and compilation axis achieved the highest (2.7±0.46) and the lowest (2.4±0.49) mean scores, respectively. The data-gathering method, control of a sample of women deaths in reproductive age in the universities of medical sciences, use of international classification of disease, and use of this system information by management teams to set resources allocation achieved the lowest mean scores in studied axes. Treatment deputy staff had a more positive attitude toward the status of information management of IMMSS than the health deputy staff (p=0.004).ConclusionAlthough the status of information management in IMMSS was desirable, it could be improved by modification of the data-gathering method; creating communication links between different data resources; a periodic sample control of women deaths in reproductive age in the universities of medical sciences; and implementing ICD-MM and integration of its rules on a unified system of death.

Retracted: Design, development, and evaluation of a registry system for hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A methodological study

“…The most crucial point in evaluating health systems is to perform the evaluation process with sufficient speed and accuracy, and finally, to solve problems. 37 …”

Determinants and causes of maternal mortality in Iran based on ICD-MM: a systematic review

“…As a result of the lack of such framework, inadvertent errors such as misclassification and misinterpretation of the coding rules of the cause of death, data on the causes of death can be especially difficult to analyze. ICD-MM helps to improve comparability of the data, making it possible to link multiple data sources and create an integrated information system for countries, which is the basis of the interventions to reduce the incidence of mortalities [14]. The ICD-MM will standardize documentation and analysis related to maternal, direct and indirect causes of death and their attributes [15].…”

Causes of Maternal Mortality in Tehran, Iran

“…National Maternal Mortality Surveillance System (MMSS) has been implemented in Iran since 2001 [4]. Iran has successfully achieved the 5th MDG by 79.7% reduction of MMR during 1990-2015 [3].…”

“…Iran has successfully achieved the 5th MDG by 79.7% reduction of MMR during 1990-2015 [3]. However, national MMSS still suffers from shortcomings in several aspects, such as data gathering, quality control, and information communication [4]. To sustain our achievements in maternal health and MMR reduction, the surveillance cycle of maternal mortalities must be continued and improved [4].…”

“…However, national MMSS still suffers from shortcomings in several aspects, such as data gathering, quality control, and information communication [4]. To sustain our achievements in maternal health and MMR reduction, the surveillance cycle of maternal mortalities must be continued and improved [4]. Autopsy reports are the gold standard for the ascertainment of the cause of pregnancy-related deaths [2] and compose the leading data resource of NMSS.…”