Using Routine Data in Evaluations Routine health information systems (RHIS) data—data collected at regular intervals at public, private, and community-level health facilities and institutions—have often been passed over by evaluators in favor of other data sources, such as stand-alone surveys tailored to meet specific evaluation objectives. However, in light of the costs and time required to gather primary data, now more than ever there are many reasons to consider routine and existing data. On this page, you will find guidance and briefs, a webinar on guidance, video tutorials on how to analyze routine data, and more. Routine data are available and usually less costly to collect. Still, they come with their own set of challenges to consider and address. For example, routine data systems were not set up with research in mind, so not all indicators, time periods, and facility data will be available. This guidance document and 13 accompanying briefs describing the use of routine data in evaluations provide information from experience to help future evaluators and researchers who are considering using routine and existing data in their projects. All of the evaluations below are from countries in Africa—with the exception of one example from the Ukraine—and covered a wide range of programs: two on tuberculosis (TB), one on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), two on anti-retroviral care and treatment (ART) for HIV, three on maternal and child health (MCH), one on family planning (FP) two on malaria control, and two on health service utilization. The evaluations often used mixed methods; however, the focus was on how routine data were used. Featured Resources TB Program in South Africa Healthcare in Rural Rwanda Malaria in Zanzibar, 2000-2015 TB Control in Ukraine Maternal Mortality in Senegal & Mali Family Planning in Mali MCH Outcomes in Kenya MCH Outcomes in N. Ghana Free Health Care: Ebola in the DRC PMTCT Service Delivery Continuum of Care in Ghana Malaria in Rwanda & Ethiopia HIV in Haitian Children & Youth Considerations for Use of Routine Data Needs Assessment on Resources Webinar on Routine Data Featured Videos Video Tutorials: Statistical Methods When Using Routine Data in Evaluation Related Resources For more resources, click here Briefs Zana za Viashiria vya Kila Mtoto Mchanga – Uboreshaji wa Upimaji kwa Watoto Wachanga na Watoto Waliozaliwa Wafu (EN-MINI) Zana za Mifumo ya Kawaida ya Taarifa za Afya Read moreEvery Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators (EN-MINI) Tools for Routine Health Information Systems and Findings from its Implementation in Tanzania Read moreEvery Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators (EN-MINI) Tools for Routine Health Information Systems (Bangla) Read moreAn Overview of the Every Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators (EN-MINI) Tools for Routine Health Information Systems Read moreThe Two-Stage Integrated Approach Methodology Read more Working Papers Using DHIS 2 Software to Collect Health Data in Bangladesh Read moreFeasibility of Integrating Social Service and Community Health Data in DHIS 2 Read moreLessons in Health Information System Strengthening: What Worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Read moreStrengthening Data Demand and Use in Three African Countries: Lessons Learned from the Associate Awards in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania Read moreConceptualizing and Measuring Data Use: A Review of Assessments and Tools Read more Datasets Coming soon... Guidance Every Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators EN-MINI-PRISM Tools for Routine Health Information Systems: Kiswahili Read moreEvery Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators EN-MINI-PRISM Tools for Routine Health Information Systems: Tanzania Pilot Study Report Read moreMapped newborn data availability in routine Health Information Systems: EN-MINI mapping tool results: Tanzania – June 2022 Read moreEN-MINI Tools: Training Manual Read moreEvery Newborn-Measurement Improvement for Newborn & Stillbirth Indicators EN-MINI-PRISM Tools for Routine Health Information Systems Read more Journal Articles Production and Use of Estimates for Monitoring Progress in the Health Sector: The Case of Bangladesh Read more Reports USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) Evaluation Report: Midline Qualitative Addendum Read moreUSAID Integrated Health Program Evaluation Report: Year 2 Impact Evaluation Results Read moreUsing Routine Data in Combination with Population Surveys to Understand Patterns of Contraceptive Use: A Case Study of Malawi Read moreUSAID Integrated Health Program Midline Evaluation: Results from the 2019 and 2021 health facility surveys Read moreSeminar on Strengthening the Routine Health Information System of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh Read moreValidating the Effectiveness of a Rapid Assessment Tool for Routine Health Information Systems Read moreStrengthening Routine Health Information Systems through Electronic Management Systems in Bangladesh Read moreNeeds Assessment on Resources for Use of Routine and Other Secondary Data for Health Evaluation and Research Read moreThe Impact of USAID’s Integrated Health Program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Baseline Report Read moreA Practical Guide to Using Routine Data in Evaluation Read more