How digital transformation can accelerate data use in health systems.

Introduction: We are in an era of rapid technological advance and digitalization. Countries around the world want to leverage technology to improve health outcomes by accelerating data use and increasing evidence-based decision-making to inform action in the health sector. Yet, there is no "one size fits all" approach to achieving this.

Three Waves of Data Use Among Health Workers: The Experience of the Better Immunization Data Initiative in Tanzania and Zambia.

The governments of Tanzania and Zambia identified key data-related challenges affecting immunization service delivery including identifying children due for vaccines, time-consuming data entry processes, and inadequate resources. To address these challenges, since 2014, the countries have partnered with PATH's Better Immunization Data Initiative to design and deploy a suite of data quality and use interventions. Two key aspects of the interventions were an electronic immunization registry and tools and practices to strengthen a culture of data use.

Clinical management of children with fever: a cross-sectional study of quality of care in rural Zambia.

Objective: To evaluate current practices and standards of evaluation and treatment of childhood febrile illness in Southern Province, Zambia.

Methods: From November to December 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of facilities and health workers and we observed the health workers' interactions with febrile children and their caregivers. The facility survey recorded level of staffing, health services provided by the facility, availability and adequacy of medical equipment, availability of basic drugs and supplies and availability of treatment charts and guidelines.

A qualitative study of perceptions of a mass test and treat campaign in Southern Zambia and potential barriers to effectiveness.

Background: A mass test and treat campaign (MTAT) using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) was conducted in Southern Zambia in 2012 and 2013 to reduce the parasite reservoir and progress towards malaria elimination. Through this intervention, community health workers (CHWs) tested all household members with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and provided treatment to those that tested positive.

Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken to understand CHW and community perceptions regarding the MTAT campaign.

Health-seeking behavior for malaria among child and adult headed households in Rakai district, Uganda.

Background: The number of orphans in Rakai district, Uganda is estimated to be 34,902 (OCBO, 2000) which translates into 28% of children under the age of 18 years. Young people who have been orphaned and as a result became heads of households must look after themselves and their siblings. These children are likely to be faced with several health problems and have to take crucial life decisions without parental/adult guidance.