[Health workers’ involvement for data quality improvement in Benin].

Objective: In developing countries, the poor quality of data derived from Health Information Systems constitutes a problem that limits use of these data and contributes to the recurrent difficulties of health system management. The low level of involvement of health workers directly responsible for data may contribute to this poor quality. This study documents a Health Information System collection tool design experience by health workers and assesses its effect on data quality.

[Reorganization of the provincial health system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo].

Introduction: In the framework of implementation of health system reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and in a context of decentralization dictated by the National Constitution, this study presents the process and results obtained in terms of the provincial level of health care organization in DRC.

Methods: A two-year multidisciplinary interventional research protocol was elaborated with two phases and 9 steps including organizational analysis, team building, and organizational learning. It resulted in transformational actions and improved knowledge, allowing the development of an innovative organizational model of the intermediate level of the health care system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[Impact of mid-level management and support on the performance of a district health system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of mid-level management and support practices to the overall performance of a district healthcare system.

Methods: This case study was carried out in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was based on analysis of (i) preventive and curative healthcare services and (ii) management and support practices provided from 2000 to 2008.

How useful are anthropometric, clinical and dietary measurements of nutritional status as predictors of morbidity of young children in central Africa?

Objective: To identify useful predictors of morbidity of young children in central Africa.

Method: Population-based follow-up study in Northern Kivu, Congo, of 842 children under two years of age who completed weekly follow-up interviews and health examinations during three months. Main outcome measures were crude and adjusted effects of summary measures of nutritional status on one-month cumulative incidence of malaria, respiratory illness, and diarrhoea.