ArticleBMJ open2019
A qualitative inquiry into implementing an electronic health record system (SmartCare) for prevention of mother-to-child transmission data in Zambia: a retrospective study.
Article in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Digital Health Data Quality Issues: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Pooled it
- Analysis of Perinatal Care in Zambia in the Context of WHO Recommendations.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Information Distortion in Electronic Health Records: A Concept Analysis.Journal of advanced nursing · 2026Review
- Pregnant women's and health workers' perceptions and experiences on the Rwandan ANC digital module intervention at selected health centres.PLOS digital health · 2026Article
- A decade of designing and implementing electronic health records in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.Global health action · 2025Article
- Negligence in data recording during institutional birth: exploring health workers' perspectives on the barriers and enablers of data documentation practices.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2025Article
- Article
- Cost and effectiveness of differentiated ART service delivery strategies in Zambia: a modelling analysis using routine data.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2025Article
- Identifying barriers to the production and use of routine health information in Western Province, Zambia.Health policy and planning · 2023Article
- Addressing the Need for a Preexposure Prophylaxis Monitoring and Evaluation Implementation Guide: Experience From Zambia.Global health, science and practice · 2023Review
- Attrition from HIV treatment after enrollment in a differentiated service delivery model: A cohort analysis of routine care in Zambia.PloS one · 2023Article
- Article
- Losses in the Sputum Specimen Referral Cascade in Mpulungu District, Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Exploring data quality and use of the routine health information system in Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study.BMJ open · 2021Article
- Maternal and neonatal data collection systems in low- and middle-income countries for maternal vaccines active safety surveillance systems: A scoping review.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2021Article
- Progress towards unique patient identification and case-based surveillance within the Southern African development community.Health informatics journalArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study aimed to investigate the challenges in implementing a Zambian electronic health records (EHR) system labelled 'SmartCare' from diverse stakeholder perspectives in order to improve prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) data collection so that SmartCare can be used for clinic performance strengthening and programme monitoring.
designThis is a qualitative retrospective study. SETTING AND
participantsSmartCare is a Zambian Ministry of Health (MoH)-led project funded by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, observations and focus group discussions (FGDs) between September and November 2016. Seventeen in-depth interviews were held with a range of key informants from the MoH and local and international organisations implementing SmartCare. Four data entry observations and three FGDs with 22 pregnant and lactating women seeking PMTCT services were conducted. Data were analysed using a thematic content approach.
resultsThe SmartCare system has evolved from various patient tracking systems into a multifunctional system. There is a burden of information required so that sometimes not all is collected and entered into the database, resulting in poor data quality. Funding challenges impede data collection due to manpower constraints and shortages of supplies. Challenges associated with data collection depend on whether a paper-based or computer-based system is used. There is no uniformity in the data quality verification and submission strategies employed by various IPs. There is little feedback from the EHR system at health facility level, which has led to disengagement as stakeholders do not see the importance of the system.
conclusionSmartCare has structural challenges which can be traced from its development. Funding gaps have resulted in staffing and data collection disparities within IPs. The lack of feedback from the system has also led to complacency at the operational level, which has resulted in poor data quality in later years.
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